The Catholic Church was brought to Lopit people by the missionaries fathers who at first settled in Gondokoro-Juba and shortly evacuated to Rejaf hill in the year 1919. It was actually tough with them to start there evangelization because the indigenous were confusing them with the salves traders but afterwards there were a distinction between them, when they managed to convinced Bari people and proceed to Eastern Equatoria centre-Torit.
Among the missionaries most Rev Fr. Vinco was the first European who became aware of the Otuho, Lopit, Lokoya, Logir, Lango, Dongotono, Pari people by reaching their territory in 1852.
The missionaries found these people with the stories traces almost all the fact of Old Testament they know the story of the lying serpent, although each one tells it in his own way. There are hints at the original state of humankind, the story of giants and then Deluge, and some episodes of Moses. Even the story of the younger son stealing from the father the blessing intended for the elder son, was already existing in the ancient Omiaha Kingdom (Ayiru Vs. Ohuli).
The most disgusting part to the missionaries is that when “ISARA the King of Oudo Beleri told the missionaries that the black people are descendants of Kush. According to him and his people, Kush fell from heaven on a rainy day. He is actually the same King Isara whose great grandfather father Prince Aharany bitterly cursed Omiaha kingdom based at Hutelek Palace, present-day Ohilang - “Oturo adi olobie hatai Ani moi diya ihwa hino Imoi” - meaning their Kingdom will scatter like Rhino’s dung in future due to the abomination committed by King Mosingo against his princess daughters (Ihabang and Hidua). That incident eventually resulted into Hejuhiteng in Ibonni and Lioro in Ohutok, with Tabwor in western Lopit and Ihirang fragments as members, followed by Olongo transition from Maya Kingdom to Lioro in Lohutok.
After overcoming those of king Isarra, the missionaries gained ground in EES. Hence the folk song:
“Pari, Lotuko, iko Dongotono; Horiok, Lopit, Lokoya, iko Lango; otubani isi Eklesia…..”
Around 1920s, the missionaries settled Torit and the first Otuho members received baptism. The Lopit region was resistant to Christianity and Islamization following the defeat of Jatia (Jihadist) at Imehejek in 1846-1868 by the allied territorial forces of Buturi-I, Ibatta-Morwo-I and Igali-I.
Hence, St. Mary’s Parish and elementary school was opened in Lafon in 1948 with another semi-autonomous Parish to be in Lohutok under Fr. Dalpashia.. There was also a catholic chapel in Ibonni and other Lopit villages during that time.
The AIM (AIC) under the USA; one of the oldest christian mission in Lopit land, outcompeted the Roman Catholic from Lohutok by converting the already baptized families to AIC. The catholic chapel in Ibonni gained promotion as the semi-autonomous catholic base in Lopit land in 1968. Lohutok and Hejuhiteng regions became the hot spot of competition over evangelization. The container dropped by the catholic mission remained under the tamarind tree in Lohutok PHCC which was the first health facility built in Lopit land in 1949 by AIM (AIC).
During the August 18, 1955, Torit revolution, and the expulsion of missionaries and with President Abuod coming into power through military coup, all the missionaries' activities including the English languages were banned from schools and Arabic imposed the medium of instructions. Ibonni was proposed at the administrative center between Loming and Lafon, but the ruling regime of Itingili (1956-1978) headed by Ohony-morok wing, with the advisory board of Sailin elders (1934-56) in Ibonni, rejected the proposal claiming that the town (Bore-Galla) will spoil their daughters and dressing code, and the traditional attires as they are the most known dancers in the region. They also feared daily punishment by the soldiers coupled with their nakedness.
Hence, Imehejek Elementary School and other structures were built from 1959 and became operational in 1961 to speed up the Arabization and Islamization policies in Lopit land. In 1968, all the head of catholic mission was relocated from Lohutok to Ibonni, leaving Lohutok with smaller chapel.
The Anya-I ensued which resulted into the 1972 Addis-Ababa Agreement, dishonored and later the birth of Anya-Nya-II (SPLA/M) on May 15, 1983. There was quite disruption of missionaries activities. Lafon fall under Arab regime and St. Mary’s Parish was hosted in Ibonni in 1991 head by Rev. Yoane Lofase; after Lafon was fully controlled by Arab regime and Imehejek remained the strong hold of SPLA/M hosting IDPs in Ibonni and Lohutok.
The military garrisons of Longiro, Bule, Harihilo/Arilo, Imehejek, Ibele, Ibonni and Lohutok were fully liberated by the heroic Monyomiji of Lopit region. An attempt by the Arabs to capture Imehejek in 1992 after establishment of a rural council in 1991, was faced by fierce resistance under the control of Late Cdrs. Inyasio Aiti, Late Gen. Francis Atada, and the Gen. Robert Okimo with Gen. Pieng Deng Major as the Commander of the region.
Therefore, Lohutok with an airstrip became the centre for Relief Aids and a logistic spot for SPLA/M from Hiyala up to the areas of Lopit North in Bule.
When AIM/AIC expanded or made a come back into Hejuhiteng areas of Ibahure, Ohilang, and they opened a mobile clinic and a primary school in Ohilang in the February 1991; it was met by a fierce action from the Catholic Diocese in Ibonni. They dismissed the first head teacher of Ohilang primary school, and appointed a loyal catholic catechist from Ohilang chapel to head the school to strengthen their strong hold position in Hejuhiteng sub-region.
Catholic dominated Hejuhiteng, Mura-lopit under St. Joseph Church, Lacharok, and part of western Lopit. While AIM/AIC stronghold remained at Olongo, Lohutok, Imehejek, Part of Mura, Habirongi, Logonowatti, Arilo, etc. In 2012, the head quarter of AIC in Hejuhiteng and an airstrip was opened in Ohilang with multiples chapels in Ibonni, Imuluha, Ihirang and mobile outreaches into others areas.
Therefore, St. John the Baptist Ibonni came a long way through resistance, resilience, hope and struggle from from 1948, and to promotion in 1968, and later the host of St. Mary’s parish in 1991, and finally on a historic day of December 7, 2014, was changed to St. John the Baptist Parish by Apostolic Administrator Thomas Oliha Atiya and St. Mary’s Parish was taken back to Lafon.
A massive call for the Christian community to join the Feast of St. John the Baptist Parish is today August 29, 2026.
Congratulations St. John’s the Baptist and Catholic Diocese of Torit (cDOT).
For more, visit editorial board, Lopit elders, and the Christian community.
