The Catholic Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan on Friday left the two countries for Vatican in Rome for their Ad Limina visit and to meet Pope Francis.
The President of the Conference of the two countries, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, in a statement, says their visit to Rome begins on August 24 and will end on September 7.
He explains that they will celebrate mass and pray together for their two countries, discuss the big question of the absence of peace and persistent suffering of their people and finally have an audience with Pope Francis.
‘We hope to come back with a message of encouragement and support. That’s really the spiritual reason for this exercise to experience our interior connectedness, our relationships with each other as brother bishops along with the Holy Father. He has an opportunity to do his job, which is to be the source of unity for the whole body of Bishops,’ Bishop Hiiboro explains.
He says the Catholic Church welcomes the continual searches, negotiations and preliminary agreements that have so far been signed to end the violence in South Sudan.
The Bishop asks the faithful Christians, clergy and members of the Religious Congregations to praying for them and for peace.
‘The Church will always stand with the right option. Above all, any move that is inclusive and which can bring genuine peace to the troubled nation as South Sudan is welcomed,’ he stresses.
The Catholic prelate says Bishops are aware of challenges ahead including security of people, the implementation of agreements signed and sustainable reforms.