The new Cardinal of South Sudan, His Eminence Doctor Stephen Cardinal Ameyu Martin has called for togetherness, unity, and peace to end the history of war in the country.
He said this when he returned to Juba on Monday 30th October after being elevated to the rank of cardinal in the Catholic Church by His Holiness Pope Francis.
Hundreds of Christians gathered at Juba International Airport to welcome the first-ever Cardinal in South Sudan’s history of the Catholic Church. The crowd walks from the Airport to Saint
Teresa Cathedral with the Cardinal blessing people at different stations along the road.
His Eminence Doctor Stephen Cardinal Ameyu Martin said his appointment is a sign that the Catholic Church has matured in South Sudan.
Cardinal Ameyu appealed to the crowd to work for the peace of Christ that put everyone together. He called for reconciliation and forgiveness among the South Sudanese to ensure his alleviation as Cardinal is meaningful.
South Sudan Vice President James Wani Igga appreciated His Holiness Pope Francis for recognizing the country in the church leadership. He pledged government support to the new Cardinal of the Catholic Church.
His Eminence Stephen Ameyu was elevated together with other 21 Catholic Bishops to Cardinals in a consistory held in the Vatican on the 30th of September this year.