The Catholic bishops and heads of diocese of South Sudan issued this evening a statement calling for peace and unity in the process of national building while expressing their joy and thanksgiving to God for the peaceful birth of the new nation.
The statement under the theme “Take every care to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together” comes at the end of a three-day plenary session that concluded this evening in Juba.Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro of Juba, who chaired the plenary meeting, read the statement to the press.
The bishops encouraged all citizens to take an active role in building the nation through a culture of hard work rather than entitlement or dependency.
They committed themselves and the Church to continue to play a prophetic role in public life, insisting on human rights and responsibilities, and the dignity of the individual, as expressed in the gospel values of Catholic Social Teaching.
The prelates decried the episodes of violence in South Sudan and in Sudan. They asked people to settle grievances through peaceful means and recommitted themselves to a continual process of national reconciliation.
The Catholic bishops welcomed the new government in South Sudan and committed themselves to engaging constructively with the new cabinet.
They noted with concern the slow delivery of basic services and infrastructure, increasing crime and insecurity, and the rising price of essential commodities which are causing difficulties in South Sudan.
They announced a national symposium to be held in October on the role of the Church in building a new nation, followed by cultural events nationwide.
The bishops told the people of Darfur, Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile that their pain is theirs too and offered their prayers in solidarity while expressing support for those seeking a just and peaceful solution for those conflicts.