Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference has reported the destruction caused by the fighting between rival factions in Sudan.
Father Peter Suleiman, SSSCBC Secretary-General says the fighting has affected the Church after rocket bullets landed at Mary Queen of Africa Cathedral of El-Obeid Diocese on Thursday last week.
Fr. Suleiman says Bishops and priests are safe but only buildings are destroyed.
He said the first rocket hit part of the priest’s house and the second rocket blasted into the front gate of the Cathedral Church which led to shuttering of glasses.
“The war was intensified between Sudan army forces and the paramilitary group- Rapid Support Forces or RSF, and it happened that the Church fall victim. Two rockets landed on the premises, one hit the resident of the priest whereby Father Michael Konji is living, the priest who is on a sick bed,”
“We thank God that he was not in the room at that time, because the room is completely damaged, and the other rocket bullet hit in front of the main gate of the Cathedral and it affect the building that resulted to the damage of the glasses,” Fr. Suleiman said.
The incident happened when the Bishop of El-Obeid Tombe Trille and other priests were praying during Blessed Sacrament in the Church.
We thank God that they are safe, only the general situation where people are lacking food, water, and no access to electricity in the Town, “Father Peter added.”
The Secretary-General stated that the Church is adding its voice with the rest of the people seeking peace so that the two parties should stop fighting and come to the table.
He says people are still scared as the conflict continues, but he believes that evil will not last.
Fr. Suleiman says people are still scared, but he believes that evil will not last it will come to an end.
Father Suleiman explains that the Bishop of El-Obeid and other priests are still in their place, except the Sisters at Saint Francis School who are close to army barracks that were evacuated to different locations.
“Only as far as I know, the sisters in Saint Francis School are the ones who are close to the military barracks, so they were asked to evacuate or to move to a different location where it’s a bit safe. But otherwise in general all the Church personnel are in their places.”
The rockets fired did not effects much, some part of the Cathedral, resident of the priest and front of the Church “He says.”
He regrets the conflict in Sudan saying such war destroys the historical buildings around the City.
“Off course already it happened that a lot of infrastructure has been destroyed, and these are historical buildings that give meaning to the country, especially the barracks and the presidential palaces, the signals of the country are destroyed and these will cause a lot of energy to rebuild.”
He calls on the people of South Sudan to continue praying for the people of Sudan and the country to end the fighting.
The Secretary General of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference made this statement to Catholic Radio Network in an interview on Monday in Juba.