hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
A woman prays during a Sunday service at the Presbyterian church in Pibor, South Sudan, June 25. For decades, Sudan's southerners fought the country's predominantly Arab rulers in the North. More than 2 million people died before the fighting ended in a peace deal in 2005. In a referendum promised by the pact, 99 percent of the southerners chose to secede, and on July 9 last year the flag of South Sudan was raised over its capital of Juba.
A woman prays during a Sunday service at the Presbyterian church in Pibor, South Sudan, June 25. For decades, Sudan's southerners fought the country's predominantly Arab rulers in the North. More than 2 million people died before the fighting ended in a peace deal in 2005. In a referendum promised by the pact, 99 percent of the southerners chose to secede, and on July 9 last year the flag of South Sudan was raised over its capital of Juba. CNS photo/Adriane Ohanesian, Reuters

Religious leaders challenge South Sudanese officials to end corruption

By  Francis Njuguna, Catholic News Service
  • July 9, 2012

NAIROBI, Kenya - One year after achieving independence, South Sudan remains plagued with corruption and ethnic discontent, prompting Catholic and Episcopal bishops to challenge the fledgling country's political leaders to "a change of heart leading to a change of behavior."

In a message marking the July 9 anniversary, Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro of Juba, South Sudan's capital, and Episcopal Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, primate of the Episcopal Church in Sudan, expressed concern about reports of money being stolen by the country's high-ranking officials.

"Corruption has become endemic within certain classes. This is unacceptable," the church leaders said.

The archbishops also cited rising ethnic tensions in local communities as well as growing concerns throughout the country about the ethnic makeup of government institutions.

Pointing to growing conflicts along the tenuous South Sudan-Sudan border, the archbishops rejected "war as an option to resolve disputes and call upon all parties to implement a meaningful cease-fire and withdrawal of armed forces from the border region."

"We dream of two nations at peace with each other, cooperating to make the best us of their God-given resources, promoting free interaction between citizens, living side by side in solidarity and mutual respect, celebrating their shared history and forgiving any wrongs they may have to done to each other," the message said.

At the same time, the church leaders called upon Sudan to end the "harassment and expulsions" of South Sudanese citizens from Sudan and "for all people to be accorded their human and civil rights regardless of which country they find themselves in."

"We also call for an end to the abduction of South Sudanese by armed groups. We urge our brothers and sisters not to take up arms against fellow citizens but to join the democratization of their countries," the message said.

The archbishops said they were "saddened" by developments in Sudan that has found ethnic, religious and cultural diversity threatened by the government.

In addition, they expressed concern about "growing resentment" against citizens of neighboring countries living in South Sudan. Citing the importance of trade relationships with countries throughout East Africa, the archbishops called for "the cultivation of better relations with our neighbors, guided by the call of Christ to 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Saying "the church has not been adequately represented," the archbishops urged the government to broaden involvement in the review of the country's new constitution.

The archbishops pointed to positive developments in South Sudan's first year of existence including road construction, the expansion of telecommunications networks, the issuance of passports, the widening of domestic airline service, the opening of embassies around the world and the development of government institutions.

They also credited the country's officials, working with religious representatives, for addressing ethnic conflict in Jonglei state which led to a disarmament campaign.

"We as a nation -- government, church and citizens -- can be proud of all of this," the message said.

Tagged under:

Related items

More in this category: « Region hit by storms recovering from power outages, coping with damage Head of Vatican court describes 'VatiLeaks' as 'most grave crimes' »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE