SOUTH SUDAN: Church Leaders reaffirms united efforts towards promoting lasting Peace
 |
| Most Rev. Paolino Lukudu, Archbishop of Juba |
Church
leaders in South Sudan under the umbrella of South Sudan Council of Churches
(SSCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to promote lasting peace in the young
nation that has been experiencing internal conflict since December 2013. This
was inspired by the spirit of love and forgiveness they saw in Rwanda, following
a one week retreat in a country that experienced genocide in 1994 and where
reconciliation and forgiveness has made it possible for people to rebuild their
lives, the leaders issued a statement of intent to reaffirm their united
efforts towards peace.
leaders in South Sudan under the umbrella of South Sudan Council of Churches
(SSCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to promote lasting peace in the young
nation that has been experiencing internal conflict since December 2013. This
was inspired by the spirit of love and forgiveness they saw in Rwanda, following
a one week retreat in a country that experienced genocide in 1994 and where
reconciliation and forgiveness has made it possible for people to rebuild their
lives, the leaders issued a statement of intent to reaffirm their united
efforts towards peace.
Twenty five
leaders and representatives from the member churches of the South Sudan Council
of Churches, among them the Catholic Church, which was represented by the
Archbishop of Juba, Most Rev. Paulino Lukudu Loro gathered in Kigali, Rwanda
for a retreat from 1st to 7th June 2015 along with lay
members and partners, to discover alternative means for reconciliation in South
Sudan.They visited genocide memorials and met with the local Church in order to
learn how Rwandans addressed the pain, anger and bitterness of those terrible
events after the 1994 genocide.
leaders and representatives from the member churches of the South Sudan Council
of Churches, among them the Catholic Church, which was represented by the
Archbishop of Juba, Most Rev. Paulino Lukudu Loro gathered in Kigali, Rwanda
for a retreat from 1st to 7th June 2015 along with lay
members and partners, to discover alternative means for reconciliation in South
Sudan.They visited genocide memorials and met with the local Church in order to
learn how Rwandans addressed the pain, anger and bitterness of those terrible
events after the 1994 genocide.
The joint statement
issued by the leaders upon their return to Juba encourages people not to forget
tragic events but to learn from them and take responsibility, “… such inhuman
acts, whether in Rwanda or South Sudan, must never be forgotten; we must know,
learn from them and take responsibility for our history,” said the statement.
issued by the leaders upon their return to Juba encourages people not to forget
tragic events but to learn from them and take responsibility, “… such inhuman
acts, whether in Rwanda or South Sudan, must never be forgotten; we must know,
learn from them and take responsibility for our history,” said the statement.
The Church
leaders state that forgiveness is the only way forward for South Sudan and all
people need to work hard to make sure that accountability and justice can be
reached. “The person who does not forgive remains a prisoner of their own
bitterness, and only he or she holds the key to that prison. To free another
person is to free yourself; reconciliation must begin with yourself; only if
you heal yourself can you hope to heal others.”
leaders state that forgiveness is the only way forward for South Sudan and all
people need to work hard to make sure that accountability and justice can be
reached. “The person who does not forgive remains a prisoner of their own
bitterness, and only he or she holds the key to that prison. To free another
person is to free yourself; reconciliation must begin with yourself; only if
you heal yourself can you hope to heal others.”
The message
reminds us that the Church has always played and will continue to play a great
role in the peace process. In spite of not being heard, all Churches, with one
voice, will keep guiding lovingly people towards the right direction.
reminds us that the Church has always played and will continue to play a great
role in the peace process. In spite of not being heard, all Churches, with one
voice, will keep guiding lovingly people towards the right direction.
Source: Enrica Valentini CRN
Below is the
full statement of the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC)
full statement of the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC)
SUDAN
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CHURCH LEADERS’ RETREAT
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CHURCH LEADERS’ RETREAT
STATEMENT OF
INTENT
INTENT
KIGALI,
RWANDA, 1ST – 7TH JUNE 2015
RWANDA, 1ST – 7TH JUNE 2015
The word of
Yahweh was addressed to me as follows, ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as
watchman for the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them
from me. If I say to someone wicked, “You will die,” and you do not
warn this person; if you do not speak to warn someone wicked to renounce evil
and so save his life, it is the wicked person who will die for the guilt, but I
shall hold you responsible for that death. If, however, you do warn someone
wicked who then fails to renounce wickedness and evil ways, the wicked person will
die for the guilt, but you yourself will have saved your life’ (Ezekiel
3:16-19)
Yahweh was addressed to me as follows, ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as
watchman for the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them
from me. If I say to someone wicked, “You will die,” and you do not
warn this person; if you do not speak to warn someone wicked to renounce evil
and so save his life, it is the wicked person who will die for the guilt, but I
shall hold you responsible for that death. If, however, you do warn someone
wicked who then fails to renounce wickedness and evil ways, the wicked person will
die for the guilt, but you yourself will have saved your life’ (Ezekiel
3:16-19)
Preamble
We, twenty
five leaders and representatives from the member churches of the South Sudan
Council of Churches, gathered in Kigali, Rwanda for a retreat from 1st to 7th
June 2015 along with lay members and partners, issue this solemn statement of
our intent to achieve peace and reconciliation for our beloved nation. We speak
with one voice as the united Church of South Sudan.
five leaders and representatives from the member churches of the South Sudan
Council of Churches, gathered in Kigali, Rwanda for a retreat from 1st to 7th
June 2015 along with lay members and partners, issue this solemn statement of
our intent to achieve peace and reconciliation for our beloved nation. We speak
with one voice as the united Church of South Sudan.
We have
listened to the voices of our Rwandan brothers and sisters. We thank them for
sharing with us, and we particularly thank the Church of Rwanda for welcoming
us and offering to walk with us on this journey. We have seen how they
developed their country after the genocide of 1994, and how they addressed the
pain, anger and bitterness of those terrible events. We have visited their
genocide memorials; such inhuman acts, whether in Rwanda or South Sudan, must never
be forgotten; we must know, learn from and take responsibility for our history.
We have learned many things from them: the need for reconciliation,
forgiveness, humility, unity and leadership. We have seen how important
forgiveness is: the person who does not forgive remains a prisoner of their own
bitterness, and only he or she holds the key to that prison. To free another
person is to free yourself; reconciliation must begin with yourself; only if
you heal yourself can you hope to heal others.
listened to the voices of our Rwandan brothers and sisters. We thank them for
sharing with us, and we particularly thank the Church of Rwanda for welcoming
us and offering to walk with us on this journey. We have seen how they
developed their country after the genocide of 1994, and how they addressed the
pain, anger and bitterness of those terrible events. We have visited their
genocide memorials; such inhuman acts, whether in Rwanda or South Sudan, must never
be forgotten; we must know, learn from and take responsibility for our history.
We have learned many things from them: the need for reconciliation,
forgiveness, humility, unity and leadership. We have seen how important
forgiveness is: the person who does not forgive remains a prisoner of their own
bitterness, and only he or she holds the key to that prison. To free another
person is to free yourself; reconciliation must begin with yourself; only if
you heal yourself can you hope to heal others.
We have been
challenged to examine ourselves, to question whether we have colluded in the
conflict either by omission or commission, and to begin to transform ourselves.
We confess and repent of our own wrongdoing. Forgiveness seems foolish in the
world of politics and militarism, but for the Church of the Crucified Christ
who, even as he was dying, said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what
they are doing” (Luke 23:34), forgiveness is the only way. In a world which
correctly focuses on human rights, it is often forgotten that we can at times
choose to sacrifice some of our rights for the common good. To choose
forgiveness and sacrifice is to choose greatness. But forgiveness is not the
same as impunity; accountability, particularly through restorative justice, can
still be pursued. A heavy burden is upon all of us to create a positive future for
our young people, for our children and for future generations. We came to
Rwanda to learn because we must prevent such a terrible atrocity from happening
in our own country: “Never again!”
challenged to examine ourselves, to question whether we have colluded in the
conflict either by omission or commission, and to begin to transform ourselves.
We confess and repent of our own wrongdoing. Forgiveness seems foolish in the
world of politics and militarism, but for the Church of the Crucified Christ
who, even as he was dying, said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what
they are doing” (Luke 23:34), forgiveness is the only way. In a world which
correctly focuses on human rights, it is often forgotten that we can at times
choose to sacrifice some of our rights for the common good. To choose
forgiveness and sacrifice is to choose greatness. But forgiveness is not the
same as impunity; accountability, particularly through restorative justice, can
still be pursued. A heavy burden is upon all of us to create a positive future for
our young people, for our children and for future generations. We came to
Rwanda to learn because we must prevent such a terrible atrocity from happening
in our own country: “Never again!”
Prophetic Voice
Just as the
Prophet Ezekiel was appointed watchman by the Lord, we too are appointed
watchmen and women by divine authority. At the 2010 meeting between Church and
Government in Juba (Kajiko 2), a South African bishop advised us that we could
be like ‘watch dogs’ or ‘guide dogs’. A watch dog barks when there is trouble,
but a guide dog leads you away from trouble in the first place. We have tried
to be like guide dogs. We have consistently tried to help our nation to move in
the right direction by offering guidance to our leaders. We spoke powerfully at
the Nyakuron meeting in December 2013, urging the SPLM leadership to resolve
their differences peacefully. After the current conflict began, we issued our
first statement within 48 hours, on 17th December 2013. Since then
the SSCC and member churches have issued numerous statements, culminating in
the SSCC statement on 26th May 2015 and an ECSSS statement on 31st May 2015.
All our guidance has been ignored. To fulfil the mandate given to us by the
Lord, we must cease to be like ‘guide dogs’ and become like ‘watch dogs’. Not
only will we warn our leaders and our people to renounce wickedness and evil
ways, we will take action to bring peace and to begin reconciliation. All of
this we do out of love, not anger. The leaders of this nation are our sons and
daughters, our brothers and sisters, our parishioners and congregants; we are
their pastors and shepherds.
Prophet Ezekiel was appointed watchman by the Lord, we too are appointed
watchmen and women by divine authority. At the 2010 meeting between Church and
Government in Juba (Kajiko 2), a South African bishop advised us that we could
be like ‘watch dogs’ or ‘guide dogs’. A watch dog barks when there is trouble,
but a guide dog leads you away from trouble in the first place. We have tried
to be like guide dogs. We have consistently tried to help our nation to move in
the right direction by offering guidance to our leaders. We spoke powerfully at
the Nyakuron meeting in December 2013, urging the SPLM leadership to resolve
their differences peacefully. After the current conflict began, we issued our
first statement within 48 hours, on 17th December 2013. Since then
the SSCC and member churches have issued numerous statements, culminating in
the SSCC statement on 26th May 2015 and an ECSSS statement on 31st May 2015.
All our guidance has been ignored. To fulfil the mandate given to us by the
Lord, we must cease to be like ‘guide dogs’ and become like ‘watch dogs’. Not
only will we warn our leaders and our people to renounce wickedness and evil
ways, we will take action to bring peace and to begin reconciliation. All of
this we do out of love, not anger. The leaders of this nation are our sons and
daughters, our brothers and sisters, our parishioners and congregants; we are
their pastors and shepherds.
The Church’s Position on the War
We have
repeatedly stated that this is a senseless war which must stop immediately.
There is no moral justification to continue killing ourselves, regardless of
any legitimate political issues with government or opposition. A cessation of
hostilities must be implemented before any detailed negotiations for the
future; it is unacceptable to negotiate posts and positions while people are
killing and being killed. Negotiations are about to begin again while innocents
continue to suffer. What will be different this time? The needs of the people
must be met, not the needs of political and military elites. It appears that
pride, power and politics have become a greater priority than peace.
repeatedly stated that this is a senseless war which must stop immediately.
There is no moral justification to continue killing ourselves, regardless of
any legitimate political issues with government or opposition. A cessation of
hostilities must be implemented before any detailed negotiations for the
future; it is unacceptable to negotiate posts and positions while people are
killing and being killed. Negotiations are about to begin again while innocents
continue to suffer. What will be different this time? The needs of the people
must be met, not the needs of political and military elites. It appears that
pride, power and politics have become a greater priority than peace.
As we analyses
our conflict, we see many root causes. We see a power struggle between leaders
surrounded by an immediate circle of advisors, aides, politicians, generals,
hangers-on, and spoilers. We see ethnic communities following their leaders,
while grassroots communities and armed youth are caught up in cycles of revenge
killing. We see military commanders, each with their own agendas, not necessarily
under the control of the principals. We see communities which have not yet
taken sides in the conflict put under increasing pressure by a lack of
effective governance, the failure of the rule of law, and by direct provocation
from government or opposition forces.
our conflict, we see many root causes. We see a power struggle between leaders
surrounded by an immediate circle of advisors, aides, politicians, generals,
hangers-on, and spoilers. We see ethnic communities following their leaders,
while grassroots communities and armed youth are caught up in cycles of revenge
killing. We see military commanders, each with their own agendas, not necessarily
under the control of the principals. We see communities which have not yet
taken sides in the conflict put under increasing pressure by a lack of
effective governance, the failure of the rule of law, and by direct provocation
from government or opposition forces.
We also see
the terrible effects of the recent upsurge of fighting; a rapidly deteriorating
economic situation leading to hardship for ordinary citizens; national assets
destroyed; human rights abused at every level; people killed and tortured;
women raped; children recruited into armed groups; looting; arrests for no
reason; security organs acting as if they are above the law; a shrinking space
for citizens and civil society to speak out; a deteriorating humanitarian situation;
increasing militarisation of society; new armed groups springing up; and
increased conflict between and within communities. Much of the country is
lawless, and so people take the law into their own hands. There is an increase
in crime with no action taken, and people are afraid of the authorities who
should protect them.
the terrible effects of the recent upsurge of fighting; a rapidly deteriorating
economic situation leading to hardship for ordinary citizens; national assets
destroyed; human rights abused at every level; people killed and tortured;
women raped; children recruited into armed groups; looting; arrests for no
reason; security organs acting as if they are above the law; a shrinking space
for citizens and civil society to speak out; a deteriorating humanitarian situation;
increasing militarisation of society; new armed groups springing up; and
increased conflict between and within communities. Much of the country is
lawless, and so people take the law into their own hands. There is an increase
in crime with no action taken, and people are afraid of the authorities who
should protect them.
Peace Processes
We
acknowledge all the peace negotiations, whether in Addis Ababa or Arusha, and
we hope that the steps taken to implement the Arusha agreement indicate a new
commitment, but overall there appears to be little real progress. There is a
complete lack of trust between the parties. They are not ready to make peace;
both still see advantages to armed conflict. They talk about talks rather than
talking about peace. There is no political will for peace. Furthermore, we
believe that they have no idea how to make peace. They have no exit strategy; they
are unable to find a face-saving compromise that will convince their followers
they have gained something. If the two principals sign an agreement, there is
no guarantee that their commanders and other followers will actually agree to
implement it. People are completely polarized. The Church must play a
significant role and the process must be owned by South Sudanese stakeholders.
acknowledge all the peace negotiations, whether in Addis Ababa or Arusha, and
we hope that the steps taken to implement the Arusha agreement indicate a new
commitment, but overall there appears to be little real progress. There is a
complete lack of trust between the parties. They are not ready to make peace;
both still see advantages to armed conflict. They talk about talks rather than
talking about peace. There is no political will for peace. Furthermore, we
believe that they have no idea how to make peace. They have no exit strategy; they
are unable to find a face-saving compromise that will convince their followers
they have gained something. If the two principals sign an agreement, there is
no guarantee that their commanders and other followers will actually agree to
implement it. People are completely polarized. The Church must play a
significant role and the process must be owned by South Sudanese stakeholders.
Church Action
The Church
has historically played a significant role in peace making. This includes the
People to People Peace Process, the Entebbe Process which shadowed the IGAD
negotiations in Naivasha, our paper ‘Let My People Choose’ which put the right
to self-determination at the centre of the CPA, and our advocacy to bring about
the referendum. We wish to inform our leaders, our people and the regional and
international community that the Church is now taking serious steps to bring
about a homegrown solution for peace and reconciliation.
has historically played a significant role in peace making. This includes the
People to People Peace Process, the Entebbe Process which shadowed the IGAD
negotiations in Naivasha, our paper ‘Let My People Choose’ which put the right
to self-determination at the centre of the CPA, and our advocacy to bring about
the referendum. We wish to inform our leaders, our people and the regional and
international community that the Church is now taking serious steps to bring
about a homegrown solution for peace and reconciliation.
Advocacy
Starting in
South Sudan and reaching out to the region, the rest of Africa and beyond, we
will embark on a process of advocacy. We appreciate the role of regional states
and express our gratitude for their efforts to bring peace. However we are also
aware of their own political, military and economic interests in South Sudan
which might cause difficulties and suspicions; there are elements of a proxy
war. We will go to regional church bodies, national councils of churches and
individual churches and, through them we will reach out to key regional
leaders. We also appreciate the role of the international community, and will
reach out to them.
South Sudan and reaching out to the region, the rest of Africa and beyond, we
will embark on a process of advocacy. We appreciate the role of regional states
and express our gratitude for their efforts to bring peace. However we are also
aware of their own political, military and economic interests in South Sudan
which might cause difficulties and suspicions; there are elements of a proxy
war. We will go to regional church bodies, national councils of churches and
individual churches and, through them we will reach out to key regional
leaders. We also appreciate the role of the international community, and will
reach out to them.
Neutral Forum
We will find
ways to bring stakeholders together in a less politically charged atmosphere
and to build bridges between them to overcome mistrust and disagreements. Any
successes in this process will feed back into the IGAD negotiations.
ways to bring stakeholders together in a less politically charged atmosphere
and to build bridges between them to overcome mistrust and disagreements. Any
successes in this process will feed back into the IGAD negotiations.
Reconciliation
A political
settlement is a necessary first step, but reconciliation at all levels,
vertically and horizontally, is essential. Only the Church can bring about true
forgiveness and reconciliation. We will spearhead reconciliation, where
necessary incorporating existing mechanisms so as not to lose what has already
begun on the ground. We must transform ourselves, transform our people and
transform our nation. We are wounded, but we must become wounded healers. We
commit ourselves to modelling reconciliation and forgiveness in our words and actions.
settlement is a necessary first step, but reconciliation at all levels,
vertically and horizontally, is essential. Only the Church can bring about true
forgiveness and reconciliation. We will spearhead reconciliation, where
necessary incorporating existing mechanisms so as not to lose what has already
begun on the ground. We must transform ourselves, transform our people and
transform our nation. We are wounded, but we must become wounded healers. We
commit ourselves to modelling reconciliation and forgiveness in our words and actions.
Throughout
our country, and amongst our people in the diaspora, we will call for prayer
and fasting to change the hearts of ourselves, our leaders and our people. Only
through forgiveness and reconciliation can we live as one nation, and only
through God’s help can we forgive and reconcile.
our country, and amongst our people in the diaspora, we will call for prayer
and fasting to change the hearts of ourselves, our leaders and our people. Only
through forgiveness and reconciliation can we live as one nation, and only
through God’s help can we forgive and reconcile.
Message of Hope and Forgiveness
We ask
forgiveness for anything we may have done to divide our nation, and for all the
times we have failed to speak and act in love to heal our nation. We bring you
a message of hope. We have been inspired by the spirit of love and forgiveness
we have seen in our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. Their testimonies have
shown us that forgiveness is not just a theory, but that it actually works. The
past does not need to control us anymore!
forgiveness for anything we may have done to divide our nation, and for all the
times we have failed to speak and act in love to heal our nation. We bring you
a message of hope. We have been inspired by the spirit of love and forgiveness
we have seen in our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. Their testimonies have
shown us that forgiveness is not just a theory, but that it actually works. The
past does not need to control us anymore!
In our
struggle for liberation we had a strong spirit of unity; let us once again
accept ourselves as one united people. The Grace and Power of God will prevail.
struggle for liberation we had a strong spirit of unity; let us once again
accept ourselves as one united people. The Grace and Power of God will prevail.
We love you,
we bless you and we forgive you all.
we bless you and we forgive you all.
Given this
day, 7th June 2015, in Kigali, Rwanda.
day, 7th June 2015, in Kigali, Rwanda.
_____________________________________
Rt Rev Peter
Gail Lual Marrow
Gail Lual Marrow
Chairman
South Sudan
Council of Churches (SSCC)
Council of Churches (SSCC)
_____________________________________
His Grace
Paolino Lukudu Loro
Paolino Lukudu Loro
Metropolitan
Archbishop of Juba
Archbishop of Juba
Catholic
Church
Church
_____________________________________
Rt. Rev Dr
Daniel Deng Bul
Daniel Deng Bul
Archbshop
and Primate
and Primate
Episcopal
Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSSS)
Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSSS)
_____________________________________
Rt. Rev Dr
Archangelo Lemi Wani
Archangelo Lemi Wani
Presiding
Bishop
Bishop
African
Inland Church (AIC)
Inland Church (AIC)
_____________________________________
Rt. Rev Dr
Isaiah Majok Dau
Isaiah Majok Dau
General
Overseer
Overseer
Sudan
Pentecostal Church (SPS)
Pentecostal Church (SPS)
_____________________________________
Rt. Rev Jame
Par Tap Hon
Par Tap Hon
Moderator
Presbyterian
Evangelical Church of South Sudan (PECoSS)
Evangelical Church of South Sudan (PECoSS)
_____________________________________
Rev James
Kuong Ninrew
Kuong Ninrew
Moderator
Presbyterian
Church of South Sudan (PcoSS)
Church of South Sudan (PcoSS)
_____________________________________
Fr. James
Oyet Latansio
Oyet Latansio
General
Secretary
Secretary
South Sudan
Council of Churches (SSCC)
Council of Churches (SSCC)
