A Catholic priest from Australia has his Church is in solidarity with the people of Southern Sudan as they prepare to begin the referendum tomorrow.
Fr. Gerry Hefferan is member to two Australian Catholic Commissions in Brisbane, the Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission and the Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.Bishop Caesar Mazzolari of Rumbek told Good News Radio that Fr. Gerry sent him an e-mail titled Praying for you, saying the Church in Australia offered a “prayerful support” to the people of Sudan as they approach the Referendum.
Fr. Gerry listed various prayer initiatives by the Church in Australia, among them, the national Australian Catholic Social Justice Council carrying articles on the 101 Days of Prayer, Caritas Australia devoting the period of Advent to prayer for the Referendum, calling for solidarity, and a Pastoral Statement on the Sudan Referendum by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
The world is focusing on Sudan as the people of Southern Sudan prepare to vote for their self-determination in a week-long exercise that will begin this Sunday.