AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - Acts of vandalism and gunfire in a parish and a Catholic community in the diocese of Tombura Yambio

Thursday, 11 November 2021

Tombura Yambio (Agenzia Fides) - On October 26, 2021, the Catholic parish of Mupoi was vandalized by a group of armed people, while on October 30, 2021, the Solidarity Community located in the parish of Riimenze was looted by unknown gunmen. The local Catholic Church immediately condemned these attacks on institutions that took place within just a week. In addition to the damage caused to the premises, the diocese of Tombura Yambio denounced the accidental murder of the head catechist who was in the parish at the time of the attacks.
In a note received by Agenzia Fides, the Curia of the diocese strongly condemns acts of vandalism, thefts and murders of Church personnel, not only in the diocese but also in any part of South Sudan. The organization urged the national government and state governments to uphold the rule of law and adhere to national and international principles of human rights protection. "The Catholic Church, along with other religious and confessional institutions, are working in communion to spiritually improve life and defend human dignity in the midst of the misery the country is experiencing", they said.
The diocese of Tombura Yambio urged the state government to give security and protection to the Church, its property and personnel. It asks to guarantee the recovery of all stolen properties, both in the Parish of Mupoi and in the Solidarity Community of Riimenze and other interreligious properties, and that the perpetrators be arrested and prosecuted according to the law. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 11/11/2021)


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