SOUTH SUDAN: Archbishop of Juba Expresses Hope for Total Peace During Pope Francis’ Ecumenical Visit
Arch-Bishop Stephen Ameyu Martin
Ginaba Lino
The metropolitan Arch-Bishop of Juba Archdiocese hopes for the ecumenical pilgrimage of His Holiness Pope Francis will cease the head of the devil that delays total peace in South Sudan.
“We hope that with the visit of the Holy Father, the devil that is delaying total peace in South Sudan will not settle this time,” Archbishop of Juba has said.”
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday 18 Jan 2023, Archbishop Stephen Martin Ameyu said the Pope’s pilgrimage to South Sudan is to reach the hearts of everyone including the politicians.
“I understand that the Holy Father is making this pilgrimage in order really to reach our hearts personally and touch them with his prayers that the spirit of God should be present in our agreement.”
The implementation of revitalized should not be talked about, but should be put under implementation in letter and spirit, “He added.”
Archbishop Ameyu who is also the chairperson of the committee for Pope’s visit to South Sudan hopes for the coming of the Holy Father to make South Sudanese realize the aspect of Peace.
“The implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement should not be talk of the word or month, but should be put under implementation in letter and spirit. We hope that the coming of the Holy Father will really make us realize these aspects for peace in this Country.”
Most Rev. Ameyu says he expects the coming of Pope Francis to bring the hearts of all South Sudanese including Church leaders, politicians, women, and children and work for peace in the country.
The chairperson of the Committee further re-affirmed the coming of the Holy Father as scheduled for the 3rd to 5th February, 2023.
He adds that all the committees which were formed for the ecumenical pilgrimage of the Pope are very ready to welcome His Holiness.
“We are preparing for the coming of the Holy Father, we are trying to evaluate the different committees whether they are prepared and what they are missing. It is a good opportunity whereby different committees have come together, beginning with the Committee for Liturgy and the rest.”
The Archbishop thanked the different committees for being resilient to prepare for the coming of the Holy Father.
“We thanked the different committees for having been resilient to prepare for the coming of the Holy and I think his coming will be enriching us as a Church, but also as a Nation.”
This is also an opportunity for leaders to get their minds together and bring the people of South Sudan for peace, reconciliation and love “he stated.”
“The Holy Father’s coming is a kind of an opportunity for us to get our minds together and to bring the people of South Sudan for peace, reconciliation and love for one another.”
According to the Church arrangements, leaders and Christians from all the dioceses across South Sudan will begin their journey by next week footing with prayers and fasting for peace in South Sudan.
Archbishop Ameyu adds that the committee are finalizing and they are very ready for the coming of His Holiness Pope Francis.
In the next two weeks, the country is to welcome Pope Francis, the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the people of South Sudan have hope that this is the beginning of total peace for the people of South Sudan.
