AMECEA: Message of Solidarity with the People of the Republic of South Sudan
The Association Member of Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) is Saddened by the tragic consequences of the violence which occurred in Juba from the evening of 7th July, 2016 which has claimed over 100 lives and rendered thousands of innocent people homeless.
Echoing the message of the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” (GS 1). Our brothers and sisters in the Republic of South Sudan, require our support for them to continue living a dignified life.
In the spirit of solidarity, we, Catholic Bishops in the AMECEA region condemn all acts of violence without exception. Fighting for whatever reason is an act of unjustifiable evil. To all people of good will, let us beg for the strength to resist the hatred that blinds us to our common humanity.
The fundamental message of Sacred Scripture proclaims that the human person is a creature of God (cf. Ps 139:14-18), and sees in his being, the image of God, the element that characterizes and distinguishes him: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27). God places the human creature at the centre and summit of the created order. As such, the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. Therefore, we must strive to preserve life by all means.
We are encouraged by all voices that have called for calm and an end to fighting. We add our voices to theirs and urge all soldiers and civilians to refrain from all actions that can ignite and escalate the situation.
Let us pray for the comfort of everyone affected and that all concerned members take peaceful dialogue as the only viable way of ending conflict.
Be assured of our prayers during these difficult and tempting moments.
May God Bless
Most Rev. Berhaneyesus D. SOURAHIEL
Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
CHAIRMAN
