Feature story

South Sudan church leaders welcome messages of hope on eve of postponed peace pilgrimage

Church leaders in South Sudan have welcomed as encouraging, messages of hope delivered to the people by global Christian leaders, on the eve of the postponed joint ecumenical pilgrimage of peace to the world’s youngest nation.

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Women pray during Sunday Mass at the Catholic Church inside the Protection of Civilians area in the United Nations base in Malakal, South Sudan.

Some 35,000 people live in the camp, protected by UN peacekeeping troops. They were displaced from Malakal following the outbreak of a civil war in 2013. The armed conflict has a strong element of ethnic tension, and the mostly Shilluk and Nuer residents of the camp fear for their security from the largely Dinka population that has moved into their former town.

Photo:
Paul Jeffrey
06 July 2022

Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, and Rev. Dr Iain Greenshields, Church of Scotland moderator, were to travel to the country from 5-7July at the invitation of South Sudanese president Salva Kiir Mayardit. However, the pilgrimage was put off due Pope Francis’s severe knee pain.

“Everyone is encouraged that the leaders were able to give messages to the South Sudanese people. We have received a message of hope from the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, which were both put on the national television,” said Archbishop Justin Badi Arama, primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.

The archbishop said although there were mixed feelings since the people expected the world religious leaders to deliver the encouragement in their country, the church understood that God’s time is the best.

“So, we trust that the world leaders will schedule their coming again,” said the archbishop.

Rachael Juan, South Sudan Council of Churches advocacy coordinator, said the people had received the message well, although the anticipation of their presence there had been quite high.

“The people had hoped to see the leaders. Some are disappointed and the mood is low, but there is still hope,” said Juan.

While in South Sudan, the religious leaders were to meet Kiir Mayardit and his five deputies, local church leaders, internally displaced people from camps, and lead an open-air prayer vigil for peace in Juba, the capital city. The visit was meant to boost peace and reconciliation, and express the global church’s solidarity with the suffering millions.

“Let us not lose faith, but rather cherish the hope of meeting as soon as possible,” said Pope Francis in the message directed to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan where he was to visit.

On South Sudan, the pontiff highlighted the persistent cry for peace, and the many people tired of violence and poverty who anxiously awaited the success of the national reconciliation process.

While regretting the postponement of the pilgrimage, Welby urged the South Sudanese leaders to pursue peace, telling them God sees and knows the suffering of the people.

“…I see the floods that endanger your homes; I see the famine that makes each day a struggle; and I see the violence that overshadows so much. Many of you cannot return to your homes,” said Welby in his message.

According to Arama, South Sudan’s most pressing issues include insecurity due to inter-communal violence, harsh economic challenges, and slow implementation of the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

“We urge Christian leaders across the world to continue to pray for South Sudan that we can have real and sustainable peace, and stability,” said the archbishop.

 

Pope Visit to Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan

Rt Rev Dr Greenshields video message to the people of South Sudan

The Archbishop of Canterbury video message to the People of South Sudan