SOUTH SUDAN: Vatican Secretary of State Regrets Suffering of Returnees and Refugees Fleeing due to Sudan Conflicts
Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary on the boat with refugees and returnees from Sudan
Ginaba Lino
The Vatican Secretary of the State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on 16 August, 2023, regretted dire Suffering of Refugees and Returnees fleeing to South Sudan due to the conflict in Sudan.
On Monday 14, August 2023, the Vatican Secretary of the State payed a courtesy visit to South Sudan for the second time in response to the invitation of the Archbishop Stephen Ameyu last year.
The aim of inviting His Eminence by the South Sudanese Metropolitan Archbishop is to visit the places which were affected by 2016 conflict in South Sudan and witness the current situation of refugees and returnees fleeing due to Sudan’s conflict that resulted to loss of lives and displacement of thousands of people.
On Wednesday 16, 2023, His Eminence Pietro Parolin visited some camps in Malakal where some returnees and refugees are living to witness the situation they are in.
He adds that war destroys everything in life and the Church regret what happened to the people of Sudan.
“The war is destroying everything, war is destroying lives, war is destroying communities, war is destroying properties, and we feel very sorry for what has happened to the people of Sudan.”
He explains His Father Pope Francis and the Church is in solidarity with the people of Sudan.
“I’m here on behave of the Holy Father to show to the people of Malakal solidarity of the Holy Father and of the Catholic Church, especially those of you who found yourself in such difficult stressing situation.”
The Vatican secretary promised to join hands as the Holy See to raise the attention and the interest of the International community towards the situation those seeking safety from Sudan’s conflict.
“I think that we can do something also from our side. We are the Holy See; we are the Vatican. I think that you know the Vatican is a morale voice very powerful in the International Community and I promise you that we will try to do so.”
“We can raise the attention and the interest of the International community towards your situation just to provide the means that can take you to your places of origins in a very safe dignify way.”
His Eminence Parolin told the people of South Sudan that, Pope Francis is always praying for the people of Sudan and the South having memories of his recent visit to South Sudan.
The Catholic Bishop of Malakal Diocese Stephen Nyodho, welcomed the visit of His Eminence Pietro Parolin to pray and meet with the refugees and returnees sheltering in Malakal.
Bishop Nyodho described the visit of Secretary of the Vatican as a blessing to the people of Malakal.
“Welcome to Malakal, we are delighted to have you here with your accompanying delegations, the people of Malakal are joyful today and we hope that this day will be a blessed day for us.”
The Secretary of the Holy His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin visited Malakal to meet refugees and returnees who were displaced due to the conflict in Sudan, Khartoum.
Hundreds of believers, Church leaders, and State authorities turned up to welcome the Vatican representative to Malakal.
