The Catholic Bishop of Rumbek has expressed concern about the mood in South Sudan ahead of the celebration of Independence, decrying lack of enthusiasm and compassion that manifests a fall back into the weakness of division.
Bishop Caesar Mazzolari told Good News Radio that he was concerned by revenge attacks taking place in Lakes State and elsewhere at a time when respect for life, unity and peaceful co-existence should be the most cherished values among the people.He said the people of South Sudan approached the April 2010 elections and the January 2011 referendum with great enthusiasm, but now they have allowed themselves to be caught up in unconstructive affairs and senseless divisions, losing the sense of compassion.
Bishop Mazzolari said although the Government and other institutions including the Church had the duty to promote peace, citizens too should embrace the values of peace, harmony and compassion.
He urged the South Sudanese not to frustrate the efforts that have been made to get the gift of Independence, encouraging discernment before actions.
He reminded people that individual actions have always consequences.
Bishop Mazzolari encouraged South Sudanese to cultivate peace, saying that an individual is either a peacemaker or an instrument of division.
He advocated for a spirit of compassion among South Sudanese manifested in acts of concern for one another.
He added that the new nation of South Sudan has to be built upon compassion, mutual understanding and love.
Eight people, including women and children, were killed in cold blood in a village close to UNMIS compound in Rumbek a couple of days ago in what was allegedly a revenge attack days after eight people were killed in Agangrial, Cueibet County.