The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek is calling for a special pastoral care for returnees.
Fr. Andrea Osman Okello told Good News Radio that returnees have to receive the same spiritual support they got in the North.Fr. Osman encouraged direct ministry to the returnees, like the celebration of the Mass in Arabic and the baptism of babies.
Fr. Osman said the repatriation of Southerners from the North was “a new exodus in a new nation” with people returning to where they really belonged.
He added that despite the challenges the returnees face, they are happy to be back in the South, feeling free and confident.
Young children said they want to learn English in order to attend school.
Fr. Osman said the process of integrating the returnees in the communities in the South will take time.
He said the returnees will no find the products they were used to in the local markets and schools in the south use English instead of Arabic.
He added that the local community should welcome the returnees and make them feel at home in their new environment with the support they can offer.