South Sudan Council Churches plant Ecumenical trees in the new site of the Vatican Embassy in Juba on Tuesday.
The religious leaders say the trees symbolized seeds of peace Pope Francis planted in the heart of South Sudanese during his visit in February this year.
The church leaders include; the Catholic Archbishop of Juba, Stephen Ameyo, Primate Justin Badi Arama of the Episcopal Church Rt. Reverend Thomas Tut, the Moderator of South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and the Moderator of South Sudan Presbyterian Church, Rt Rev. James Makuei Chuol.
The religious leaders planted five mango trees in the new premises of the Vatican Embassy at St. Paul’s Major Seminary in Juba.
Charge’ d’ Affairs of Apostolic Nunciature in South Sudan, Fr. Monsignore Ionut Paul says the trees were gifts from the South Sudanese to His Holiness.
Monseigneur Paul says the planting of trees was meant to reflect the message of Pope Francis during the ecumenical visit to South Sudan.
He says the trees are a sign of the commitment to putting efforts together and ensuring the message of the Pope’s visit during the ecumenical journey grows in their fruits.
Paul adds that planting the mango trees, watering them, and watching them grow is equal to planting peace that will benefit the people of South Sudan and the region.
“In Pope Francis’s remarks to the Authorities during the ecumenical visit to South Sudan, he said;
“May the patience and the sacrifice of the South Sudanese, these young, humble, and courageous people challenge everyone like the seed sown in the soil that gives life to plant a low peace to blossom and bear fruits.”
The ECSS, Primate Dr. Justin Badi Arama, says they have come together to plant these trees to indicate the beginning of new life and a sign of hope to the citizens.
Justin expresses that the newly planted trees signify a seed of encouragement and a seed of peace planted by His Holiness Pope Francis and his delegates during their visit in February.
The Primate of the ECSS prayer the tree of peace will grow and bear fruits that will benefit the people of this country.
Catholic Archbishop of Juba, Dr. Stephen Ameyu says the planting of this tree repeats the Ecumenical theme of the Pope’s visit which is, “All of Us may be one.”
Ameyu points out that this process of planting the seeds together by the church leaders signifies the Ecumenical relationship of the church leaders.
Archbishop Ameyu prays that the visit of the Pope, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland continue to bear fruits and bring everlasting peace to South Sudan.