The Bishops identify the “epidemic called tribalism or regionalism” as the main challenge of their sister countries and state, “The politics of ethnicity, division and exclusion of others which often ends up in invocation of violence as a solution must come to an end.”
They add, “Remember that a true person of God cannot discriminate people on the basis of tribe, race, gender, or religion. If anything, we Christians should be the ones to liberate our people from such virulent plague of tribalism.”
“Another major challenge consuming our society is the scramble for power and ill-gotten wealth,” the Bishops have disclosed and explained, “In our society today, everyone wants to be first and to take everything for himself or herself. This greed is what leads to corruption, embezzlement of public funds and many other social problems in our communities.”
The Bishops advocate for servant leadership after the example of Jesus Christ both in Church and outside the Church saying, “Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that bishops, priests and government officials, should all be servants of the people after his example.”
The Bishops underline the neutrality of the Church in political matters of their respective countries.
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“Given the peace rhetoric going on in our societies, we would like to take this opportunity to make it loud and clear that the Catholic Church in the Sudan and South Sudan is not working against any government. We do not support any party or individual politician,” the Bishops clarified and added, “We are not for any regime change anywhere but for the change of minds and hearts.”
The Bishops declare their interest in lasting peace saying, “We the bishops of Sudan and South Sudan are all for peace. We hold that the people of Sudan and South Sudan should never return to war again. It is high time Sudanese and South Sudanese political leaders put the interests of their people before their personal interests and to practice politics with a human face.”
They add, “The much-needed forgiveness, national healing and reconciliations in our two countries require exemplary leadership and much sacrifice at all levels of the society.”
“Our final appeal is for us to continue maintaining unity of purpose and to work together as one people, whether as politicians or religious leaders, in order to face these challenges together, share our meagre resources together and provide the most needed services to these resilient and dignified people of Sudan and South Sudan,” the Bishops have concluded their message addressed to the Clergy, Religious and the People of God in Sudan and South Sudan.
Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla is ACI Africa’s founding Editor-in-Chief. He was formed in the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans), and later incardinated in Rumbek Diocese, South Sudan. He has a PhD in Media Studies from Daystar University in Kenya, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Communication from Marist College, New York, USA.