AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - Anniversary of Independence: "Many, of all religions have not given up hope"

Wednesday, 12 July 2017 local churches   social situation   wars   poverty  

Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - "Six years after liberation, South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is worse than ever, with grave violations of human rights and a lingering brutal civil war", writes His Ex. Mgr. Edward Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of Tombura-Yambio and President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference (SCBC), in a message for the sixth anniversary of South Sudan independence, sanctioned by a referendum on July 9, 2011.
In the text sent to Fides, the Bishop underlined: "I am a patriot and am grateful that I am a citizen of the Republic of South Sudan. I deeply love being born a South Sudanese, and I give thanks to God for giving me birth in this beautiful place. I proudly see South Sudan grow clocking the age of Six Years since her birth on July 9th 2011".
The Bishop continues: "I want to keep on working for the unity of my country. I want to spend my life for lasting peace, peace which has been robbed by some. There are many, many like me, of all religions, who have not given up hope. I believe that the present state of the country is only a passing phase. Freedom is God’s gift. Peace is God’s gift. God’s gifts are meant for His children. Independence is not a once-and-for-all achievement, but it is forged daily, achieved daily".
After some reflections on the current reality, illuminated by Sacred Scripture, the President of the Episcopal Conference emphasizes four priority aspects on the anniversary of Independence. The first is a comprehensive ceasefire: "The country is loaded with violence and war by all the fighting forces or people holding arms. All of them must for the love of this beautiful nation South Sudan lay down their weapons of wars". Therefore the national dialogue launched by the president has to be in all forms an inclusive networking for peace in the country that "must be supported by all means". Third point: "A Declaration of National Bankruptcy in South Sudan is necessary". It will be a courageous stand by the government at this most crucial time to declare that "there is no money in South Sudan". "When a country can no longer pay the interest on its debt or convince anyone to lend it money, it has reached bankruptcy. The most obvious cause of this spotted state of bankruptcy of our beloved South Sudan includes civil war or financial mismanagement by the government! ". The fourth point is an invitation to pray unceasingly for peace. "Beloved people of South Sudan we must pray hard for peace! to inspire the hearts of people with love and trust for each other, irrespective of the ethnicities or community they belong to, thus making life in South Sudan more meaningful and joyful". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 12/07/2017)


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