The growing Catholic South Sudanese community in the Diocese of Parramatta is mourning the loss of their beloved priest in South Sudan, Monsignor Julius Ida Modesto, who passed away on 30 April 2026.
Although he never visited Australia, Monsignor Ida baptised, provided spiritual formation and study opportunities for many South-Sudanese Australians.
Renowned for his care and repatriation of South Sudanese refugees during the crisis in South Sudan until his death, Monsignor Ida is also remembered as a faithful pastoral father who sustained the Church through war and displacement, formed generations in the sacraments, built education and community life in times of crisis, and remained a lasting spiritual anchor for South Sudanese Catholics at home and in the diaspora, including Australia, especially in western suburbs of Sydney.
Monsignor Julius Ida Modesto. Image: supplied
As local parishioner from Mary, Queen of the Family Parish Blacktown Agnes Mindraa says, “In the early 1980s, when I was still very young, I saw him as an image of God.
“In 1983, in [the Diocese of] Torit, he baptised me, prepared me, and gave me my First Holy Communion. He was also the priest to whom I made my first confession. These were not just sacraments, they were the foundation of my life in faith, and he guided me through each one with care and devotion,” she said.
Paul Bilal, an advisor and elder from the South Sudanese Madi community in Brisbane, is grateful for the impact he has had on his life.
“He was 32 years old when he opened the primary School at Chinyakwia in 1970, now called Bibia. He opened the school for the Sudanese refugee children during the Anyanya war with the Sudan government. Personally, I was the beneficiary of the school,” said Paul.
“He was shaping people’s faith journeys in a very direct and personal way. The lessons and spiritual grounding he gave continue to live on in those he served,” said Agnes.
Image: supplied
Helping others during his own struggles
Monsignor Ida was a refugee in exile during the Sudanese wars before the 1970s and 1990s. He established several ministries and parishes in Uganda and South Sudan to provide social and spiritual support for refugees and the local people. As a vicar for peace, he supported dialogue, reconciliation, prayer, and nonviolence.
Since his first priestly appointment in 1966, Monsignor Ida has been in danger because he was close to the border between South Sudan and Uganda. He could have been picked up and killed by the operatives of the Sudanese security and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) forces, who previously also captured his personal driver. Nonetheless, he escaped several attempts to be captured in Pa’jok, Acol Pii, and Loa. And in 2003, his vehicle was burnt down to ashes the second time in five years.
“We are fortunate to have great church leaders who worked tirelessly, mentored and guided us as role models growing up,” said local parishioner from St Luke’s Marsden Park, Faustino Aboka.
“We lost a great man. Not only as a preacher, but also as a man who served his community that God entrusted to his care diligently”, Mr Bilal said.
Local Parish Priest in Loa, South Sudan Fr Martin Asida wrote “[He was] a hard-working priest who gave his full commitment to pastoral work. [He was] a humble person by all standards…. and lived his entire ministry in the turbulent times of South Sudan. He proved resilient and fulfilled his pastoral commitment.
“His death marked the close of the chapter of the generation of priests formed by the Comboni Missionaries and witnessed the origin of the struggle of South Sudanese for independence,” he said.
Image: supplied
His life
Monsignor Julius Ida Modesto hails from the Madi ethnic tribe and was a dedicated diocesan priest serving in the Catholic Diocese of Torit, South Sudan.
Born on 11 May 1938 in Loa, South Sudan, he witnessed the Republic of Sudan’s Independence in 1956 firsthand at the age of 18. Before becoming a priest, he provided extensive support to the South Sudanese communities following their liberation struggles.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Loa and attended a local seminary in South Sudan. He was ordained a priest in 1966 and spent many years of committed leadership to the communities and his brother priests in South Sudan and Uganda.
He spoke several other languages and adapted to other cultures quite easily and supported and mentored young people in their studies. He was loved by his faithful communities, relatives, and friends whom he encountered during his lifetime.
Monsignor Ida had been sick for several years and received treatment in Uganda. He remained under the care of his brother priests at the Catholic Diocese of Torit and was visited by relatives and friends. His joyful smile and wisdom always bring others close to him.
He died at the age of 88, on 30 April 2026, at his residence in Nimule, South Sudan. He was laid to rest at his birthplace on Saturday, 9 May 2026, at St. Mary Assumption, Loa, South Sudan, by His Lordship Bishop Emmanuel Bernardo Lowi Napeta of the Catholic Diocese of Torit.
He lived a profound life and left an exceptional legacy for believers.
As Fr Josephy Anyidi, Parish Assistant from St Mary Assumption in Loa said,
“He walked with you in life. Now he walks with you in heaven. ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone’ (Jn 12:24). Monsignor Ida is that grain for Loa.”
Monsignor Ida Modesto will be missed, but his legacy will live forever.
