SOUTH SUDAN: Nuncio Ask Bishops in South Sudan to Prepare Citizens to Vote According to Gospel Values
Group Photo of Bishops from Sudan and South Sudan during the opening of Bishops plenary in Wau Diocese
Ginaba Lino
The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan on 20, November 2023, called on Bishops in South Sudan to start preparing people on how to vote according to the values of Gospel not according to ethnic lines as the government plan to hold General Elections next year.
The call was made during the Sudan and Sudan Bishops plenary which started in Wau Catholic Diocese on 20 November 2024.
The Diplomatic Mission to Kenya and South Sudan His Grace Bert Van Megan during the opening of Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference said as South Sudan government is planning to carry out general elections in 2024, Bishops should think on how to prepare the people and faithful to vote according to the Gospel, not according to ethnic lines.
“In 2024, the government of South Sudan has planned for elections that will be another question we could think about. How do we as a Church prepare our people for that important event, how do we create awareness among the people and make them vote not according to ethnic lines, but according to the values of the Gospel.”
Vatican Ambassador emphasized that creating awareness about elections by Church is a providence for South Sudan.
He added that it’s major challenge for the Church, but also an important challenge because they work for the future of the entire Country.
“I think it’s a major challenge for the Church, but also an important challenge because with that we work for the future of our entire Country.”
Van Megan stated that it’s an imprecation for him because the people of South Sudan are still reflecting on the visit of Pope Francis and the message he left for South Sudan.
“In the preparation for the elections, it’s my imprecation that till now we are still reflected on that visit of the Pope and the message he left for us. If we go deeper in his messages he gave, speeches, his homilies, it will truly help us and also in getting better view on which direction are we going in our country, and where would we as a Church like this Country to go.”
The Vatican ambassador for Kenya and South Sudan left for Wau last week to attend the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference taking place as well as celebrating the launching of Eucharistic Congress which will take place on 26 of November 2023.
The President of Sudan and South Sudan Bishop Conference His Lordship Tombe Trille who is also the Bishop of El-obied Catholic Diocese during the opening of the conference welcomed the bishops, and Cardinals Assembled for the conference and the launching of the Eucharistic Congress.
Bishop Tombe mentioned that this year’s plenary is blessed because it includes the Eucharistic congress launching together with the establishment of Catholic Hierarchy as well as the elevation of His Grace Stephen Martin Mulla to Cardinal.
“We are blessed with some progress which has taken place in our Diocese of South Sudan having Cardinal. Again we are blessed to have the launching of the Eucharistic Congress and the golden Jubilee which started in Sudan 1974 with two lezestical province of Khartoum and Juba which has grown now to the seat of Cardinalship in Sudan and South Sudan.”
The conference is held under the theme “One Body One Spirit in Christ.
