The vice-president of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference said two consecutive novenas before and after the Independence will mark the programme of celebrations elaborated by the Church.
Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe of Yei told SCR News that the bishops of South Sudan met in Juba last week to study proposals from two taskforces to mark Independence Day.He said the bishops decided to prepare Independence Day with nine days of prayer and repeat the novena after the celebration.
The bishop added that the pastoral programme for Independence runs until January 1, 2012.
Bishop Erkolano said the Program of Prayer and Action intends to support a peaceful environment during the transition period before and after the celebration of Independence.
He added that the prayer program should help people to overcome tribalism and heal from the many wounds of war in order to build a united nation.
Bishop Erkolano said that forgiveness and reconciliation should be the cornerstones of the new Republic of South Sudan in order to keep peace and unity.
The Program of Prayer and Action runs from May 28, 2011 up to January 1, 2012 under the theme “One Nation from every Tribe, Tongue and People.”
The Independence programme includes a week of studies on the Catholic Social Teaching, in August; a Symposium on the Church in the Sudan and South Sudan, in October; and a Cultural Week to celebrate South Sudan’s diversity, in December.