The church must be part of the permanent Constitution review process although it was not invited to the meeting that discussed the review commission one week ago.
Last Friday, Vice President Riek Machar Teny met with party leaders to negotiate the formation of the Constitutional Review Commission but civil society and faith groups were left out.Joseph Taban, who heads Bishop Gwynne College in Juba, told CRN News that there is concern that the churches are being sidelined from the permanent Constitution review process.
He said that some people think that the churches have no role to play in the national politics apart from praying to God.
Rev Taban added that the Church has a strong opinion that should be heard.
He suggested that the capital punishment should be retained in the permanent Constitution adding that it is too early to remove death penalty from the Charter.
Rev Taban suggested that the permanent Constitution should settle the issue of Arabic language because it is widely spoken throughout the country.
He said people should not be emotional and reject Arabic language pretending to get rid of it.
Rev Taban stressed that the place of Arabic language should be made clear in the Constitution and language issues should be handle with care in the law.
He added that English is the official language but it is well known only within the educated classes.