SOUTH SUDAN: “Be Artisans of New Future”, Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the People of South Sudan
Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
The Vatican secretary of the state Cardinal Pietro Parolin called upon South Sudanese to “be artisan of a new future”. He made this appeal in Juba on Thursday as he celebrated Mass at John Garang Mausoleum Park.
“Time has come for the prophecy of Isaiah to be fulfilled in this country. Now is the time to struggle against the shadows of evil and to journey towards the light. Now is the time when God, who always hears the cry of his oppressed people, asks us to be artisans of a new future”, he said.
He began his homily by o conveying “greeting and blessing of Holy Father Pope Francis, who greatly desired to be here today on an ecumenical pilgrimage for peace and reconciliation in this young country, so full of opportunity and so grievously afflicted”.
In the celebration that was attended by president of South Sudan Salva Kiir, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and thousands of the faithful, Cardinal Parolin reminded them that they are a “people dwelling in a land rich in resources and possibilities but at the same time covered in darkness and overshadowed by violence”.
In his peace message, Cardinal Parolin appealed to the nation to value one another and embrace fraternal love.
“We are called to inaugurate a new history of justice and peace, in which we can take one another by the hand as members of one family, supporting one another, building a common future on the basis of dialogue and with the strength of meekness. That is what the Lord tells us to do: beginning with ourselves, with the courage of reconciliation and of fraternal love,” he added.
The Cardinal reflected on both the difficulties, challenges and the past of South Sudanese. “The evil of the world cannot be vanquished with the weapons of the world. If you want peace, you cannot obtain it with war. If you want justice, you cannot achieve it by unjust and corrupt methods. If you want reconciliation, you cannot harbour revenge. If you want to serve your brothers and sisters, you cannot treat them as slaves. If we want to build a future of peace, then, there is only one road to take: to love one another and to live as brothers and sisters”, he pointed out.
As rain fell, Cardinal Parolin invoked God’s blessing upon South Sudan calling the citizens to listen to Jesus and embrace the newness that he brings in their lives and that it is time to invoke the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Unity and Peace.
He also prayed that the “Lord may touch the hearts of all, and in particular those who hold positions of authority and great responsibility, so that there will be an end to the suffering caused by violence and instability, and that the process of peace and reconciliation may move rapidly forward with concrete and effective actions”.
