By Paschal Nobert
PORT SUDAN, JANUARY 6, 2024 (CISA) – In a gesture of unity and goodwill, General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) joined the Catholic community in Port Sudan to celebrate Christmas Day on December 25, 2024.
After the celebration of Christmas Mass, General Al-Burhan visited the Catholic community, meeting with sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, the Visitation Sisters, and priests from the Comboni Missionaries who work in the city. He commended the Catholic Church for its significant contributions to Sudanese society, particularly in the realm of education. The general also shared his hopes and prayers for peace, emphasizing that the Sudanese people deserve relief from the hardships they continue to endure.
Port Sudan, which has become the de facto capital of Sudan amidst the country’s ongoing crisis, serves as a hub for humanitarian assistance. The Catholic Church plays a vital role in offering support to displaced people, while the Comboni Missionaries, and other religious congregations have resumed their activities both in person and online, ensuring continuous service to the community.
Addressing the gathering, which included the members of the TSC, faithful, clergy, and other dignitaries, General Al-Burhan highlighted the importance of adhering to the values of love and peace promoted by the world’s major religions. He expressed his joy at participating in the Christmas celebration, calling the birth of Jesus Christ a beacon of hope and compassion. He urged Sudanese citizens to work toward reconciliation and harmony, emphasizing that faith-based principles could guide the nation out of its current challenges.
General Al-Burhan appealed for peace and stability in Sudan, expressing a fervent wish that future Christmas celebrations would take place in a country free from conflict and suffering. He reaffirmed his belief that the Sudanese people deserve a life of dignity, free from the injustice and tragedies that have marred their lives. He also praised the historical role of the Catholic Church in Sudan’s independence movement and its continued support for the nation’s development.
