SOUTH SUDAN: Keep Your Heads High for Your Redemption in Near, Bishops Urge

JUBA, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 (CISA)-The Sudan Bishops’ Conference has lauded the ongoing peace processes in Sudan and South Sudan, and expressed hope that the civil crises are coming to an end.

“We are delighted to see the mature non-violent way by which political crisis in the Sudan is being solved. We are encouraged by the progressive ongoing dialogue between the Sudan government and the people of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile to resolve the remaining issues at negotiation table.

We remain hopeful the leaders of South Sudan will overcome the current political standoff and deliver peace to their people by arriving at the formation of an inclusive and well-meaning government of National Unity (R-GoNU),” the bishops said.

The bishops spoke in a statement, released at the conclusion of the annual plenary assembly of the conference held at Good Shepherd Peace Centre in Kit-Juba from October 23-30, after which the Catholic archdiocese of Juba celebrated a hundred years of evangelization on November 2.

The bishops lauded the tremendous growth in faith in the two countries over the past 100 years despite the difficulties they were facing and the increased role of the Church during the difficult times.

“There is no question that in spite of numerous difficulties facing us, the Catholic Church in Sudan and South Sudan has truly grown over the last hundred or more years. In addition to the faith that millions of people have now embraced the Church has also provide immense services to our people in the two nations e.g. helping the poor, providing health care, education and being the voice of the people during difficult times,” they said.

“We your pastors definitely want this growth to continue even more in the coming period; not only in the numbers of the faithful but also in the quality of living our Christian faith. We have to keep our lamps always lit being “salt of the earth and light of the world”. It is here that we urge each one of you to be proud of your Catholic identity even as we continue to work together with our brothers and sisters from other Christian denominations as we as the Muslims and all the people of good will for a just and peace loving society,” the bishops said.