SOUTH SUDAN: Cardinal Ameyu Reinforces Collaboration for Growth and Sustainability of the Church

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

At an extraordinary meeting for members of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSS-CBC), the President of the conference Cardinal Ameyu underscored the role of collaboration and unity among Church leaders in tackling the urgent challenges facing the country. He emphasized that only through collective effort and shared commitment can the Church in the eastern Africa region effectively respond to the nation’s pressing needs and support its people during these difficult times.

“We gather in a spirit of unity and collaboration recognizing the vital role we play in shepherding our communities through the challenges we face,” the Cardinals explained in his opening speech February 18, and highlighted that the discussions for the meeting are expected to focus on several key initiatives that are essential for the growth and sustainability of the church in Sudan and South Sudan.

Cardinal Ameyu acknowledged that the ongoing conflicts, economic hardships and social divisions in Sudan and South Sudan necessitate a robust response from the Church leaders since the “Church is not only a spiritual beacon but also a crucial player in the social- economic landscape of the communities.”

While addresing the bishops on Tuesday, the Archbishop of Juba pointed out that the Church for a long time has benefited from the support of solidarity partners in addressing critical issues. Hence by formalizing such collaboration, Church leaders aim to ensuring better service to the faithful and advancing the common good in communities facing pressing challenges.

“One of the significant discussions before us is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with solidarity. This partnership represents an opportunity for us to enhance our outreach and support for communities we serve,” the Cardinal said. He added “Solidarity has a proven track record of walking along-side the Church to address pressing issues and needs particularly in education, and health care.”

To serve the Church and society with dedication, the President of SSS-CBC noted the essence of equipping future priests with essential skills to ensure an all-round preparation for priestly ministry through reinforcement of the Church’s mission of evagelization and service.

“The formation of our future leaders is a sacred duty that we must prioritize. The major seminary plays a crucial role in this endevour providing the necessary theological and pastoral training for our seminarians. Investing in education of the clergy is therefore an invetment in the future of Sudan and South Sudan. We must ensure that our seminarians are well prepared to meet the spiritual and practical needs of our communities,” The Cardinal said in his opening speech.

In conclusion he said, “I urge each of you to support the proposed decisions. Our collective action is vital for the future of our Church in Sudan and South Sudan and together we can foster a spirit of collaboration and commitment to our shared mission ensuring that we respond effectively to the needs of our communities.”