The Catholic Bishops of Sudan together with Church dignitaries from other African Episcopal Conferences will honour Sudan’s heroes and heroines by visiting a mass burial place on Tuesday.
Bishop Caesar Mazzolari of Rumbek is the host of the bishops’ conference. He told Good News Radio that bishops with other Church dignitaries, local authorities and other citizens will visit on Tuesday a mass grave six kilometres west of Rumbek.Fourteen people including Fr. Arkangelo Ali were massacred on July 21, 1965, at Rumbek prison and dragged to that burial place.
Bishop Mazzolari explained that the visit of the ground that he called “a special place” would honour the memory of real patriots, some of them killed in hatred of their faith.
Bishop Mazzolari said that in the neighbourhood of t Loreto School, more than 200 people were killed and buried in mass graves in 1971.
He explained that the visit recalls people who died while fighting for freedom and who offered their lives in order to bring peace and reconciliation.
Bishop Mazzolari said that only forgiveness can bring reconciliation and peace.
The visit is part of the programme for the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference plenary.