An Italian priest has been shot and injured by unknown gunmen, Catholic church authorities have said.

Fr Christian Carlassare was attacked at his house on Sunday night.

“He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Rumbek [central South Sudan]. The armed men targeted him, they knocked his door and started shooting at the door until they broke it,” Fr. Andrea Osman, a Diocesan priest who also survived the incident told the Nairobi-based Association for Catholic Information in Africa.

“They shot him three bullets, two on one leg and the other one on another leg. He is now in stable condition as doctors have controlled the heavy bleeding,” Fr. Andrea added.

Fr Andrea said arrangements were underway to airlift the Bishop-elect to Nairobi for further treatment.

The motive of the incident remains unclear.

In November 2018 a Kenyan priest, Fr Victor Luke Odhiambo was shot dead by people who attacked his Jesuit community in the Lakes area.