News
Representing the South Sudan Council of Churches, South Sudan’s religious leaders traveled to Rome on 26-30 October, meeting with Pope Francis on 27 October.
The visiting delegation included Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul Yak of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, Peter Gai Lual Marrow of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, and Fr James Oyet Latansio, general secretary of South Sudan Council of Churches.
Pope Francis has joined other religious leaders across the world in expressing his concern over the situation in South Sudan. The World Council of Churches and its partners have been standing in solidarity with churches in South Sudan as they continue to try to bring peace and a sense of hope to their troubled country.
Five years after South Sudan gained its independence in July 2011, the humanitarian and security situation has grown dire. The number of South Sudanese refugees has passed 1 million. Since July, when violence escalated, more than 150,000 new refugees have added to the humanitarian crisis.
The delegation from South Sudan asked the Pope for his continued prayers. The visitors also met with media representatives to answer questions about peace, healing and reconciliation in South Sudan.
On 28 October, the visitors met with the deputy head of mission Natalina Mou, as well as staff of the embassy of South Sudan.
In a statement, the South Sudan Council of Churches said: “We want to encourage the people of South Sudan, in the same way the Holy Father encouraged us as we all search for peace, healing and reconciliation. We urge you to stop rumours and hate speech, we are one people. We are praying for you constantly, the world church is encouraging you and praying for you, please pray for one another! We are not abandoned, there is hope!”
WCC member churches in South Sudan
