SUDAN: Bishop of El Obeid Encourages Christians to Exercise Works of Mercy Amid Turmoil
Rt. Rev. Tombe Trille Kuku, Catholic Bishop of El Obeid
Rt. Rev. Tombe Trille Kuku, the Catholic Bishop of El Obeid, in his Easter message has reiterated need for Christian faithful to adhere to their commissioning to announce the Good News in order to transform the world.
In the message shared with the press during the Easter celebrations, Bishop Tombe described South Sudan’s current soci0-economic and political situation as as unstable. He calls upon all Christians to re-enact the mission of Jesus Christ by helping their neighbours through exercising corporal works of mercy such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, burying the dead as well as giving alms to the poor.
He also urged them to not forget the spiritual works of mercy, which include instruction, advice, consolation, comforting, forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.
“These days our nation is undergoing economic and political turmoil. There are no clear directions. Our markets are in disarray; those who have the goods and products fix prices at their whims. The language of our politicians is simply repeated recorded-tapes of survival, embracing no truth. Our country is deeply marked by divisions,” Bishop Tombe described.
He further indicated that the kind of passion, anger and even hatred that was manifest during the Holy Week is, sadly and increasingly, evident in the social media, in newspaper columns in all kinds of political arenas; and that even though enormous effort is being made to ensure some stability, uncertainty remains.
Sudan’s long-time President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, was on 11th April ousted by his own Defence Minister following months of protest against his rule. The Defense Minister announced that al-Bashir has been arrested and is being detained in a safe place while a Transitional Military Council has been formed to rule for two years. However, according to media reports, a 10-member delegation representing the protesters delivered their demands during talks late on Saturday, April 13. The group insisted that civilian representatives should be accepted on to the military council, and that a fully civilian government should be formed to run day-to-day affairs.
Amid this uncertainty, Bishop Tombe reminded Christians of El Obeid Diocese that the Risen Lord has left us a missionary Church where each and every follower must be active participant. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. (Jn. 20: 21).”
“The word Peace seems to be mere rhetoric. The deem light of hope for peace and improvement of our lives seem to fade as our economy is not improving. Thank God, the State and oppositions groups unilateral cessation of hostilities are still holding,” he said, adding that the mystery of Christian faith in such an unhappy situation invites them to ponder on the Word of God, through whom all things were made, became man and dwelt mong.
“In such condition, God reveals to us that He is love; God teaches us that the fundamental law of human perfection and transformation of our nation is the new commandment of love. Our trust in God’s love, which is the way of love, and the Christian effort to establish brotherhood will never be in vain.”
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