Officials from African Churches expressed solidarity with the people of Sudan as they prepare for the referendum.
Archbishop` Tarcisio Ziyayer of Blantyre, Malawi, spoke at the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ plenary on behalf of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), and the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).Archbishop Ziyayer said that the delegation from SECAM and AMECEA was in Rumbek as a sign of solidarity with the Sudanese people as they prepare for the referendum.
He added that the referendum was a “quest for peaceful navigation of the country through the final stages of implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005”.
Archbishop Ziyayer expressed appreciation for the work of the Church in Sudan, citing the promotion of human dignity, peace and integral development of the nation.
He paid homage to St. Josephine Bakhita whom he described as “an icon of true freedom” and St. Daniel Comboni, “the great missionary in Sudan whose fruits are tangible and plausible.”
Archbishop Ziyayer restated the call of the Catholic Bishops of Sudan that the referendum process be conducted “peacefully, transparently, and on time, upholding values of honesty, integrity, tolerance, respect and compassion especially for the weak and the poor.”
Archbishop Ziyayer appealed to the Sudanese leaders to make common good prevail above personal interest.
This was the first time African Catholic Episcopal bodies met in Sudan with the Catholic Bishops.