SOUTH SUDAN: Archbishop of Juba Appreciates Pope Francis’ Bold Statements in South Sudan
Archbishop Ameyu delivering his message during Closing mass of the Pope visit
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Local Ordinary of Metropolitan See of Juba, Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, has appreciated Pope Francis for the courageous step he took to be in South Sudan for the three-day Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace where he emphasized the need for peace guided by “truth and love.”
In a message of gratitude to the Pope just after the closing Mass at John Garang Mausoleum Sunday, February 5, Archbishop Ameyu expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Sudan and South Sudan Conference of Catholic Bishops saying, “Your Holiness Pope Francis, on behalf of the members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, I warmly thank you and I also thank Almighty God for having allowed this historic visit to happen in our time.”
“Furthermore, I thank you very much for taking this bold decision to visit our country which is suffering due to the consequences of civil wars. Your Holiness, I believe that your visit is a sign of solidarity with us and shows the desire to restore tranquility in this country,” he added.
The Archbishop acknowledged that the ecumenical pilgrimage visit was meant to urge political leaders to work for peace and for the common good of Sudan and South Sudan, a gesture the Pontiff had demonstrated through his concern for reconciliation between the warring parties in South Sudan.
Despite the efforts made for the peace process, Archbishop Ameyu disclosed, “the peace process has moved forward so slowly.”
“In April 2019, for example, you hosted South Sudanese leaders for a two-day spiritual retreat in the Vatican, during which you urged them to strengthen the country’s faltering peace process,” The Prelate recounts the efforts by the Holy Father and explains further, “Amazingly, you even knelt down to kiss their feet as a symbol of humility and service of humanity. However, it is discouraging that the peace process has moved forward so slowly.”
Archbishop Ameyu bemoans the ravage of war in the young nation highlighting that it has led to “Indiscriminate destruction of human lives and the destruction of assets such as homes and livestock.”
He continued, “We have experienced looting, raping, economic deterioration, and the displacement of countless people, many of whom have fled to neighbouring countries. Thus, with such negative impacts of civil war upon our innocent people, one can say: it is better to have peace than to have war, because war destroys whereas peace builds.”
According to the Local Ordinary of Juba Archdiocese, even though South Sudan has had several challenges of civil war and lived through tough historic periods since independence, the church has experienced some developments and growth in faith.
“Your Holiness, we have celebrated one hundred years of faith. On the one hand, our Church has produced two Saints: St. Daniel Comboni and St. Josephine Bakhita, and on the other hand, the local Church has witnessed to the faith through martyrdom,” he said addressing the Holy Father on Sunday.
“Among those martyred during the first war, known as “Anyanya One” (which lasted from 1956-1972), were Mr. William Deng, Fr. Saturlino Ohure and Fr. Leopoldo Anyuar. There have been martyrs of the current civil war as well. Sr. Veronika Teresa Rackova SSpS, a Slovak sister and medical doctor, was killed on May 16, 2016, while serving in the Catholic Diocese of Yei. Sr. Mary Abbud and Sr. Regina Roba, from the local congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, were also killed, on August 16, 2021, while they were on their way back to Juba from the centenary celebration of Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Loa in the Catholic Diocese of Torit,” The Archbishop narrates some events that have taken place in the Church of South Sudan.
Expressing the dire need of peace for the country, Archbishop Ameyu stressed that the peace needed by the people of South Sudan “is not human peace based on personal interest but that from Christ.”
“The peace which our country so badly needs is not a purely human peace based on personal interest, but rather the peace of Jesus, who says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you,” he said and concluded, “This is a peace that must be guided by truth and love,” reads part of Most Rev. Ameyu’s message.
