The Catholic Bishop of Rumbek asked God to put an end to human suffering in South Sudan and called on South Sudanese to repentance.
Caesar Mazzolari made the invocation while presiding over the official opening of the Independence Day celebration at Freedom Square in Rumbek
He also called for repentance, explaining that the lives of South Sudanese are marked by conflict, divided by greed, selfishness, revenge and violence.
The bishop thanked God for the grace of the new Republic of South Sudan, encouraging the people to rely on the Lord in order to build the new nation.
South Sudanese do recognize the primary role of God in attaining their Independence, approving an anthem that is rooted in God.