Chuol Jany |CRN| His EminenceCardinal Stephen Ameyu Mulla, Bishop of Archdiocese of Juba has called on leaders in South Sudan to respect the will of the people during the upcoming elections and to accept the outcome.
Speaking during Holy Mass in Torit, the Cardinal said the Church supports democracy, and that it is the people of South Sudan who must choose their leaders.
“In the primaries, I would prefer some of you to cooperate in your own village and agree with your brother to go ahead,” he said. “It is a responsibility, and that responsibility is to vote maturely for your leaders. The Church supports democracy. The Church supports whoever is good for the common good of the people.”
The Cardinal said the Church’s message is one: “We need peace.” He stressed that without peace; a better society cannot be built.
“We must compromise. My brother has the right to exist, and I have the right to exist, and therefore we must live together. It must not be that because I have a weapon, I will eliminate my enemy. No,” he said.
A representative of the State Government Carlo Andrew, Minister of Agriculture urged Church leaders to pray for the country’s current political and economic situation. He described these as challenges affecting the nation’s efforts to build a peaceful society and said they deserve the attention of the bishops.
He also commended the Church for its key infrastructure projects, including schools and hospitals, as well as the humanitarian agencies under the Church that provide essential services to communities.
“We recognise the Church for its work in the community. We thank the Church for its role in peace and civic responsibilities,” he said. “The government and the Church are two pillars supporting the nation. The Church guides spiritual life, and both share the objective of upholding human dignity.”
He added that the State Government is working closely with the Church to promote reconciliation among the people of Eastern Equatoria.
The Mass marked the official opening of the Plenary Assembly of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops. More than 10 bishops, clergy and heads of Catholic institutions have gathered in Torit for the annual assembly, which will end on 13 November 2026.