The Catholic Diocese of Rumbek started a nine-day prayer in preparation for the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) plenary to be hosted by the diocese from November 8 to 15, 2010.
Fr. Andrea Osman Okello is Rumbek’s Vicar General and the parish priest of Holy Family Cathedral. He told Good News Radio that the diocese started the novena on Saturday in preparation for the SCBC plenary meeting.Fr. Andrea said that the diocese was united in prayer for the success of meeting, that brings together the Bishops of Sudan, and representatives from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
Fr. Andrea urged the Southern Sudanese to be calm and remain united as the region prepares for the referendum vote.
He encouraged people to conduct the referendum in an atmosphere of peace like during the April general elections.
The upcoming SCBC plenary meeting is the second this year.
It will focus on the historical moment of the referenda for the people of South Sudan and Abyei.