Ahead of Independence Day, Catholic Bishop Urges South Sudanese to Commit to Peace in Daily Acts, “not abstract idea”

Bentiu, 08 July, 2025 / 10:44 PM

As South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, prepares to celebrate its 14th Independence Day on Wednesday, July 9, a Catholic Bishop is urging the people of God in the in the East African nation to commit themselves to peace in their daily acts and actions.

In his message that ACI Africa obtained on Monday, July 7, Bishop Christian Carlassare of the Catholic Diocese of Bentiu, South Sudan’s newest Episcopal See, cautions against living peace as an “abstract idea”.

Investing in peace is one way of celebrating South Sudan’s independence, Bishop Carlassare says about the country that is grappling with protracted violent conflicts that have resulted in loss of life and property and displacements.

“We must embrace peace not as an abstract idea – we so often speak of peace but then make war – we must indeed embrace peace as a daily commitment,” he says in his message to the people of God in the country that gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011.

Embracing peace as a daily commitment, he explains, refers to "always speaking with integrity, leading with wisdom, working with hope and trust", and making deliberate efforts to build “bridges instead of walls, coexistence rather than division.”

In recent months, South Sudan has seen renewed conflict between the South Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF), following the reported arrest of political leaders, including First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

Since the signing of the September 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in Addis Ababa, peace in South Sudan has been fragile. Despite the agreement, tensions between SSPDF and SPLA-IO have reportedly persisted, fuelled by political rivalries, politics of succession, ethnic divisions, and delays in the full implementation of the peace deal. 

The situation worsened in early 2025, when renewed clashes erupted between the two factions, leading to widespread displacement and casualties.

The reported arrest of the first Vice President, Dr. Machar, which followed the arrest of other leaders in the opposition, escalated tensions in the world’s youngest nation, raising fears of a return to large-scale conflict.

In his Independence Day 2025 that ACI Africa obtained, Bishop Carlassare reflects on the “deep scars” as well as wounds that the violent conflicts have inflicted on the people of God in South Sudan, which he says should not be taken for granted.

“We cannot shy away from the challenges we still face. People carry deep scars, wounds, and traumas because of past conflict and communal violence. People have difficulty rising and standing with confidence because of the economic restraints,” the Italian-born member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) says.

He confirms with concern that “so many people are displaced or have found refuge abroad. In many cases, families are going through enormous difficulties, and some are broken. Too many citizens still lack access to basic services – healthcare, education, and clean water.”

Bishop Carlassare goes on to lament that while the Gross Domestic Product per capita in 2025 has ranked South Sudan as the world’s poorest country, the country has “all the resources to do much better than that, provided there is peace and reliable institutions.”

He emphasizes that for South Sudan to celebrate Independence, “we must invest in peace. All people must be committed to peace, to disarmament, to nonviolence.”

The Catholic Bishop whose Episcopal Consecration was delayed after he was shot in both legs  notes that for peace and healing to be realized, justice, truth and accountability must be sought. 

He calls for commitment to good governance as another appropriate way of celebrating South Sudan’s Independence Day.

“All people must be honest in their own office and work, exercising leadership to serve fellow citizens, looking for the common good of the entire nation rather than only one group,” Bishop Carlassare says, and adds, “Corruption undermines the very foundation of our freedom. Institutions must be strengthened.”

For him, commitment to good governance can be demonstrated through the postponed general elections scheduled for December 2026, which he says “must be fair, credible, and peaceful—an essential opportunity to shape the nation’s future.”

The Local Ordinary of Bentiu Diocese, who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek, where he started his Episcopal Ministry in March 2022 also sees the education sector as an appropriate avenue to demonstrate commitment to good leadership. 

“We must empower the people of South Sudan. Education is not a privilege—it is a right. Every child must have the opportunity to learn,” he says, and adds, “Youth must be part of the solution, not sidelined or manipulated for sordid interests.”

In his view, youths “must not be left without education and without developing their critical mind and potentials.”

Bishop Carlassare goes on to advocate for gender considerations, saying, “Women must have a seat at every decision-making table; they must play a role in the peace and reconciliation process of our country.”

“Moreover, let us not fear civil society, because any nation is rooted in the quality of its citizens,” he adds.

Bishop Carlassare recognizes the cultural diversity of South Sudanese, and says, “Languages and cultures would not divide the country, but enrich it with beauty and wisdom.”

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“The tribe or region where you come from must never define your worth or divide your hearts. You are South Sudanese before the tribe, clan, or party you belong to,” the Comboni Bishop says, and explains, “Diversity is strength, if we really embrace it with determination.”

Bishop Carlassare further says, “Independence is not a destination. It is a journey. A journey we must walk together—with hope, with patience, and with determination. Let us renew our commitment today to build a country that is peaceful, inclusive, and just.”

In his 2025 Independence Day message, the Catholic Church leader says he desires “a country where every citizen feels safe and can work and improve their life; a country that honours its past—and boldly shapes its future.”