Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Juba (Agenzia Fides) - "The challenge for all of us now is nation-building, emphasising unity and integration", says the statement of the Episcopal Conference of the Republic of South Sudan, issued after the plenary session, held in Juba from 6 to 8 September, a copy of which was sent to Fides. "South Sudan must be ‘one nation from every tribe, tongue and people’", the Bishops emphasize. "This is a shared responsibility, not just for the government", the statement continued. "We encourage all citizens of South Sudan, with their faith communities, civil society and political parties to participate in building a new, prosperous and peaceful nation".
National reconciliation, according to the Bishops, is the basis of the building of the new State. Not an easy task because, as pointed out in the text "five decades of war has left scars of trauma on our people, and new internal conflicts are taking place even now". "We are particularly concerned about the great loss of life in Jonglei State, as well as the ongoing conflicts elsewhere, including the Lord's Resistance Army in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal. We call upon all stakeholders in South Sudan to work for peace and reconciliation".
The Bishops reaffirm the Church's commitment to contributing to the integral well-being of the people "by its nature, the Church contributes to the overall well-being of the people. The Sudan Catholic Radio Network (with radio stations reaching the whole national territory) and Catholic universities, play a very visible role in nation-building and reconciliation". However this work is ongoing at every level of our Church life through schools, clinics, "justice and peace" commissions, aid and development activities, and spiritual and pastoral ministry, "which seeks to form people as good citizens and good Christians" . In addition, in October there will be a national symposium on the role of the Church in building a new nation, followed by cultural events nation-wide.
After recalling "the tragic events in Darfur, Abyei, South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile", the Bishops say they are troubled by concerns about the treatment of South Sudanese and other minorities in the Republic of Sudan: "Their pain is our pain. We offer them our prayers and our solidarity". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 09/09/2011)
