SOUTH SUDAN: Peace will not come without Respect for Human Rights says the Catholic Bishops
The
Catholic Bishops from the Republic of South Sudan have said that Peace will not
come without respect for human rights, and these rights are based on the
concept of the dignity of each human person, created in the image and likeness
of God.
|
| Archbishop Paulino Lukudu |
In
a statement issues at the end of a the end of a three-day meeting held in Juba,
which took place from 12th to 15th November 2013 and was
attended by all the Bishops from South Sudan except Bishop Fernando Colombo,
the Diocesan Administrator of Rumbek who was absent due to health reasons, the Bishops
in their message talked about several issues affecting the young nation.
The
Bishops present during the meeting included Archbishop Paulino Lukudu
Loro-Metropolitan of Juba, Bishop Erkolano Ludo
Tombe of Yei, Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak of Wau, Bishop Edwardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tambura-Yambio, Msgr. Roko Taban Mousa Apostolic Administrator of Malakal, Msgr. Thomas Oliha Apostolic Administrator of Torit, Bishop Santo Loku Pio Auxiliary of Juba, Bishop Paride Taban Emeritus of Torit and Bishop Vincent Mojwok Emeritus of Malakal.
Bishops present during the meeting included Archbishop Paulino Lukudu
Loro-Metropolitan of Juba, Bishop Erkolano Ludo
Tombe of Yei, Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak of Wau, Bishop Edwardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tambura-Yambio, Msgr. Roko Taban Mousa Apostolic Administrator of Malakal, Msgr. Thomas Oliha Apostolic Administrator of Torit, Bishop Santo Loku Pio Auxiliary of Juba, Bishop Paride Taban Emeritus of Torit and Bishop Vincent Mojwok Emeritus of Malakal.
They
said that there is much to celebrate in the new Republic of South Sudan;
however they cautioned that building a new nation is not a quick or an easy
task. They noted that many people of South Sudan are living in peace and
democracy for the first time in decades. There is religious freedom, with
Muslims, Christians and followers of African traditional religion able to
practice their faith without obstacles. They said that the ecumenical spirit
which led the churches through the war is still strong and they are happy to
see the involvement of our South Sudanese Muslim brothers and sisters in so
many initiatives.
said that there is much to celebrate in the new Republic of South Sudan;
however they cautioned that building a new nation is not a quick or an easy
task. They noted that many people of South Sudan are living in peace and
democracy for the first time in decades. There is religious freedom, with
Muslims, Christians and followers of African traditional religion able to
practice their faith without obstacles. They said that the ecumenical spirit
which led the churches through the war is still strong and they are happy to
see the involvement of our South Sudanese Muslim brothers and sisters in so
many initiatives.
They
Bishops pointed out that while delivery of social services, infrastructure and
other basic needs is proceeding more slowly than many would wish, the people of
South Sudan, broadly speaking, are better off than they have been in living
memory.
Bishops pointed out that while delivery of social services, infrastructure and
other basic needs is proceeding more slowly than many would wish, the people of
South Sudan, broadly speaking, are better off than they have been in living
memory.
The
Bishops however said that there are causes for concern, for the people of South
Sudan because there is peace in the sense of absence of widespread violence,
but not in the sense of right relationship and abundance of life.
Bishops however said that there are causes for concern, for the people of South
Sudan because there is peace in the sense of absence of widespread violence,
but not in the sense of right relationship and abundance of life.
While
welcoming the new leaner government which came about as the result of a reshuffle
in July 2013, the bishops said they remain concerned about governance issues,
including corruption and nepotism and said that only an open and transparent
government in which the people have a chance to participate can bring lasting
peace and justice to our nation.
welcoming the new leaner government which came about as the result of a reshuffle
in July 2013, the bishops said they remain concerned about governance issues,
including corruption and nepotism and said that only an open and transparent
government in which the people have a chance to participate can bring lasting
peace and justice to our nation.
They
said that transparency is particularly important as people can easily misunderstand
actions by the government. They cautioned that innocent decisions may be
wrongly construed if not carried out consultatively and if not explained properly
to the citizens.
said that transparency is particularly important as people can easily misunderstand
actions by the government. They cautioned that innocent decisions may be
wrongly construed if not carried out consultatively and if not explained properly
to the citizens.
The
bishops also said that they are conscious of the conflicting priorities which leaders
are forced to deal with. There are so many pressing needs when building a nation
from scratch, and all of them are indeed priorities and advised the government
to choose a small number of priorities and then ensure that they are actually
implemented, rather than trying to do everything at once and running the risk
of doing nothing effectively.
bishops also said that they are conscious of the conflicting priorities which leaders
are forced to deal with. There are so many pressing needs when building a nation
from scratch, and all of them are indeed priorities and advised the government
to choose a small number of priorities and then ensure that they are actually
implemented, rather than trying to do everything at once and running the risk
of doing nothing effectively.
Concerning
tension in some parts of the country, the Bishop in their statement said that
they are encouraged by the many initiatives of the churches, civil society and
the government to reduce tension. They noted that the number of armed
rebellions has reduced considerably as many rebel leaders have come out of the
bush with their followers.
tension in some parts of the country, the Bishop in their statement said that
they are encouraged by the many initiatives of the churches, civil society and
the government to reduce tension. They noted that the number of armed
rebellions has reduced considerably as many rebel leaders have come out of the
bush with their followers.
However
they are concerned that inter-communal tension and conflict continues in many
parts of the country, particularly in Jonglei State. They called on South
Sudanese to be proud of their tribal heritage, culture and traditions, but not
to be drawn into tribalism which sets one group against another.
they are concerned that inter-communal tension and conflict continues in many
parts of the country, particularly in Jonglei State. They called on South
Sudanese to be proud of their tribal heritage, culture and traditions, but not
to be drawn into tribalism which sets one group against another.
The
Bishops congratulated the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan on their recent
agreement to resume oil exports saying that move should bring some economic
relief to the people of both nations. “We pray that it also signals an
improvement of relationships and may lead to further progress.”
Bishops congratulated the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan on their recent
agreement to resume oil exports saying that move should bring some economic
relief to the people of both nations. “We pray that it also signals an
improvement of relationships and may lead to further progress.”
They
also expressed concern at the lack of progress in other areas, including border
demarcation. “We feel sadness and pain for our brothers and sisters in Sudan
who still experience civil war and humanitarian tragedy in Darfur, the Nuba
Mountains and Blue Nile, and we call on all parties to implement an immediate
cease-fire, to allow independent humanitarian access to all areas, and to seek
a negotiated solution to all conflicts,” the statement said.
also expressed concern at the lack of progress in other areas, including border
demarcation. “We feel sadness and pain for our brothers and sisters in Sudan
who still experience civil war and humanitarian tragedy in Darfur, the Nuba
Mountains and Blue Nile, and we call on all parties to implement an immediate
cease-fire, to allow independent humanitarian access to all areas, and to seek
a negotiated solution to all conflicts,” the statement said.
The
Bishops said that after decades of conflict the new country needs national reconciliation
and healing. “We believe both must be a priority for the Government of South
Sudan. Faith communities and civil society must be at the very centre of the
process, but government must also take responsibility.”
Bishops said that after decades of conflict the new country needs national reconciliation
and healing. “We believe both must be a priority for the Government of South
Sudan. Faith communities and civil society must be at the very centre of the
process, but government must also take responsibility.”
The
Bishops welcome the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation,
set up by President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit. They pledged
their support for the reconciliation process, and offer the resources of their
Justice and Peace Commission to help make it a success.
Bishops welcome the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation,
set up by President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit. They pledged
their support for the reconciliation process, and offer the resources of their
Justice and Peace Commission to help make it a success.
