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South Sudan

Delegation of South Sudan political leaders at the Vatican with Pope Francis in April 2019

Holy Father Prays for Peace, Reconciliation in South Sudan, Hopes to Visit

Nov 11, 2019

Three days after the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Vice-President designate Dr. Riek Machar agreed, at a meeting in Uganda, to delay the formation of a unity government by one hundred days, Pope Francis has led the Catholic faithful in praying for peace and reconciliation in the world’s youngest nation and expressed the hope to visit the country

Delegation of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC)

Why Leaders of South Sudan Churches Have Welcomed 100-day Extension of Unity Government

Nov 11, 2019

On November 8, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Vice-President designate Dr. Riek Machar decided to extend the Pre-Transitional period expected to end in the formation of a unity government by one hundred days effective November 12. This is a renewed extension from the original May 2019 deadline

Flooding in South Sudan declared national disaster by President Salva Kiir, thousands forced to seek higher ground for their safety. / Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Prioritize Evacuation of People from Flood-affected Areas, South Sudanese Bishop Appeals

Nov 8, 2019

At a time the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit has declared flooding in the world’s youngest nation a national disaster, the South Sudanese Bishop who had called for this declaration in an interview with ACI Africa is now urging the government and humanitarian organizations to prioritize the evacuation of people from flood-affected areas to safety.

Left, New President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference (SCBC), Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku of El Obeid diocese, Sudan; right, outgoing SCBC President, Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio diocese, South Sudan

Bishop of Sudan’s El Obeid Diocese Elected President of Conference, SCBC

Nov 6, 2019

When the Bishops and heads of dioceses in Sudan and South Sudan met for their weeklong Annual Plenary Assembly in Juba that concluded October 30, they not only deliberated about the situation of their sister countries and delivered a message of hope but also elected new leaders for their umbrella body, the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC).

President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit

South Sudan President Pleads with Church Leaders to be Vocal about “peace accord” document

Nov 5, 2019

With key issues of contention between the parties in South Sudan protracted conflict unresolved just a week to November 12 deadline for the formation of a unity government as stipulated in a September 2018 peace accord, the President of the world’s youngest nation, Salva Kiir Mayardit has pleaded with Church leaders to be vocal about the peace document dubbed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Two Catholic Church leaders in South Sudan consulting at Good Shepherd Peace Center, Kit, Juba on October 25, 2019: Left, Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro of Juba; Right, Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio and President of Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) / ACI Africa

Catholic Leaders in Sudan and South Sudan Deliver Message of Hope amid Apprehension

Nov 3, 2019

With the citizens of the youngest nation of the world, South Sudan, seemingly torn between apprehension and optimism against the backdrop of reports that the vice-president designate, Dr. Riek Machar wants the long-awaited November 12 date for the Transitional Government postponed yet again by another six months, the Catholic Bishops have delivered a message of hope and called on the citizens to “keep heads high.”

A section of South Sudanese singing during the independent of their country in July 2011

Multiethnic Composition of South Sudan’s Juba Centenary Choir an Inspiration for Unity

Nov 1, 2019

Described as “one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse countries on the African continent” consisting well over 60 tribes with distinct and unique social structure systems, South Sudan, independent since July 2011, has had the opportunity of cultivating unity in the rich diversity of the various ethnic groupings.

Evidence of vandalism and looting at Sout al Mahaba Radio of the diocese of Malakal, South Sudan. / Sr. Elena Balatti, CMS

Catholic Radio in South Sudan Needs $50,000 to Resume Broadcast after Vandalism, Looting

Oct 26, 2019

While the exact impact of the protracted South Sudan civil strife on the Church is yet to come to the light, Malakal diocese, one of the most affected ecclesial territories in the youngest nation of the world, is attempting to revive the seeming dampened spirits of the people of God through the revival of a damaged and looted radio station, which now requires US$50,000.00 to resume broadcasting, sources at the heart of the initiative have told ACI Africa.

Gathering of South Sudan citizens during Independence Day in July 2011.

Bishops in South Sudan Demand Shift from “power-sharing” to “addressing root causes”

Oct 22, 2019

As the clock ticks on toward the formation of a unity government in South Sudan scheduled for November 12, Catholic Bishops and heads of dioceses in the country are calling for peace and justice and demanding for a shift from “power-sharing” to “addressing the root causes of the conflicts” affecting the people in the world’s newest nation.

Mons.Thomas Oliha in the company of other priests and altar girls at the end of Holy Mass at the Apostles of Jesus Shrine Catholic Church, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya on October 13, 2019 / ACI Africa

South Sudanese Cleric Recounts Challenges He Overcame to Become Priest 50 Years On

Oct 15, 2019

In a country where the reciprocal interaction between Catholicism and culture still presents difficulties, with society playing a central role in shaping individual lives through family and peer pressure, a South Sudanese cleric has shared with ACI Africa the challenges he had to overcome on his journey to priesthood as he celebrates 50 years since he received the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro during the Launch of the Cantenary celebration of the Archdiocese of Juba, South Sudan on Comboni Day

Solemnity of St. Comboni in South Sudan an Opportunity for Faith Renewal

Oct 15, 2019

As the people of God in South Sudan celebrated the Solemnity of Saint Daniel Comboni last Thursday, October 10, Catholics of the Archdiocese of Juba used the occasion both to honour Missionaries for their role in evangelizing Sudan and South Sudan and to renew their commitment of faith in the person of Christ Jesus within the context of the Archdiocesan centenary celebrations.

South Sudan Peace Ambassadors reciting poem to Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan on Sunday, October 6: From left Rebjwok Karlo, Sophie Faith Juwa (with mic) and Nyenawut Akol Miyen / ACI Africa

Children Remind South Sudan Leaders of Pope Francis’ Kiss, Demand Peace

Oct 11, 2019

Some six months since Pope Francis showed a “dramatic gesture” of humility by kneeling and kissing the feet of South Sudan leaders, a section of South Sudanese Catholic children living in Kenya have used their encounter with the Apostolic Nuncio to their country in Nairobi to remind the political leaders back home of the Pope Francis’ April 11 act, demanding peace through service that demonstrates love.

Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan receiving culturally symbolic gifts from South Sudanese Catholic women residing in Kenya on Sunday, October 6, 2019 / ACI Africa

Culturally Symbolic Gifts that South Sudanese Catholics in Kenya Gave Apostolic Nuncio

Oct 10, 2019

In a gesture aimed at demonstrating different life situations that characterize the world’s newest nation, South Sudanese Catholic women residing in Kenya last Sunday offered a variety of gifts to the Nairobi-based Holy Father’s representative to their country and explained to him the cultural symbolism of each of the presents.

Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Bert van Megen with South Sudanese clergy, religious, laity in Nairobi after Mass on Sunday, October 6, 2019 / ACI Africa

Seek Lasting Peace Through Mercy, Forgiveness over Justice: Nuncio to South Sudanese

Oct 8, 2019

At a time when ordinary South Sudanese are looking at their political leaders to form the long-awaited unity government in just over a month, the Nairobi-based Apostolic Nuncio to the world’s newest nation has called on the people of God in South Sudan to seek lasting peace through the virtues of mercy, forgiveness, and love as indicators of strength over and above justice, or worse, the tendency to revenge.

HEPATITIS B VACCINE to be administered in South Sudan

Catholic Doctor Lauds South Sudan and Egypt for Jointly Combating Hepatitis

Oct 5, 2019

As the government of South Sudan works toward the realization of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity with the opposition slated to take place next month amid challenges such as a struggling economy, massive humanitarian crisis, and diseases, the partnership between the Juba-based government and Egypt to combat Hepatitis is seen as good news, a Juba-based Catholic doctor has observed.

Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo (extreme right), Prof. Klaus Vellguth (next) at Good Shepherd Peace Center, Juba, South Sudan / Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo, AMECEA

What the Church in South Sudan is Doing to Promote Gospel Values among Faithful

Oct 3, 2019

In a country where Christian churches have maintained educational and health institutions, facilitated humanitarian programs through their structures at the grassroots, and operationalized an ecumenical approach in calling for an end to violence and a peaceful resolution of the protracted conflict in the world’s youngest nation, an analysis of the impact of the gospel message on South Sudanese would give perspective to the central mission of the Churches, which is to evangelize through the promotion of gospel values.

Rajaf Church, Juba Archdiocese, South Sudan

Counting on Young People as South Sudan’s Juba Archdiocese Marks 100 Years

Sep 28, 2019

The role of young people in the Archdiocese of Juba is being viewed as significant as the Church continues the yearlong centenary celebrations of Catholicism in what is now the capital of South Sudan, the head of the Committee for Centenary celebrations, Bishop Santo Loku Pio has said.

Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (left) and South Sudan President Salva Kiir

Move to Reopen Sudan and South Sudan Borders Lauded as Mutually Beneficial

Sep 17, 2019

The decision to reopen three borders connecting Sudan and South Sudan has been applauded as an initiative that will bring about benefits to both countries that separated in 2011 through a referendum.

Ave Maria Parish Church, outside Mupoi, South Sudan. Credit: Alejandro Bermudez/CNA

In war-torn South Sudan, two Spanish priests build a shrine to Our Lady of the Rosary

Aug 17, 2019

Ave Maria, the parish church outside Mupoi, South Sudan, fell into disrepair decades ago. It was abandoned at the beginning of Sudan’s civil war, and then ransacked. It is dilapidated and practically unusable.