Church personnel gathering in Rumbek for their annual diocesan assembly are discussing ways of reaching out to the returnees, acknowledging the challenges they bring to their ministry.
Fr. Antoine Kondo said on behalf of his study group that language is one the challenges returnees pose, Good News Radio reported.The same group observed that some returnees have professional skills and specific talents and should be inserted in the activities of the Church.
Heather Peters added that her group proposed catechism classes in Arabic language for the returneessaying some issues regarding returnees can be handled by the diocesan Emergency Preparedness Committee.
The same group encouraged pastoral agents to study the background of the school-going returnees in view of integrating them into the local education system.
Another group represented by Sr. Beatrice Arinaitwe encouraged Church personnel to visit returnees, listen to them and become aware of their real needs and respond appropriately and within their means.
Reporting for his group, Fr. John Mathiang appealed to the government to speed up the settlement of returnees.
Bishop Caesar Mazzolari urged the assembly participants to be pro-active and approach the returnees with a compassionate heart and the necessary awareness to bring about responsibility and leadership.
The bishop insisted that the process of building the capacity of the returnees should begin immediately, warning against postponing initiatives.
The different study groups at the Rumbek diocesan assembly also discussed issues of reconciliation, leadership training, nation building and the relationship between the government and the Church in the post-referendum context.