SOUTH SUDAN: “The Jubilee Year Presents Opportunity for Reflection, and Healing,” South Sudan’s Cardinal Urges Bishops’ for Active Participation

Ginaba Lino

South Sudanese Cardinal echo the importance of the jubilee year 2025 during the Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan, calling on the Bishops, priests and faithful to actively participate and the initiatives planed for the jubilee year.

The president of the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ conference Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla said the jubilee year 2025 presents a unique opportunity for renewal, restoration, and reconciliation within the Churches and communities which are taken by violence.

“As we look ahead, the Jubilee year 2025 presents a unique opportunity for renewal, restoration, and reconciliation within the Churches and communities which are taken by violence and strive. However, this year will be a time for reflection, Healing, and recommitment to our mission as disciples of Christ. We encourage all Bishops, priests and faithful to actively participate in the events and initiatives planned for this significant year in Rome and in our Dioceses.”

Cardinal Ameyu emphasized that the jubilee year is a time to deepen faith and strengthen the burns of unity.

On the implementation of the synod of synodality, we outline the steps for implementing the Synod on Synodality in our dioceses, “The South Sudanese Cardinal stated.”

The Local Ordinary of Juba Archdiocese continued, “This process of the Synod on Synodality emphasized that the importance of listening and collaboration among faithful and priests ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in the process.”

By fostering a culture of dialogue and mutually respect, we can better decent the path followed and respond respectively to the needs of our communities, “He added.

The Cardinal regrets the current situation the Church is experiencing in both Sudan and South Sudan, appealing to the pirates to confront with the challenges.

“As we reflect on the current situation in Sudan and South Sudan, we must acknowledge the many challenges that confront us, the Church is not only spiritual beacon, but also a crucial player in the Social economic landscape of our community.”

The members of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSSCBC) acknowledged the need for the Church in both countries to push for tax exemptions.

“As we navigate the financial challenges facing our Church, advocating for the exemption Church from taxation is also essential. This exemption will enable us to allocate more resources towards our pastoral activities, and community services.”

Cardinal Ameyu said the church must remain a vibrant presence in the communities, adding that the financial burdens should not hinder their mission.

The Extra-ordinary meeting of the Bishops in Sudan and South Sudan reviewed a number of issues including the establishment of a new Commission of Catholic Education at the conference, proposal for constricting National PALICA, presentation on the Jubilee Year of Hope, and implementation of the Synod on Synodality.

The Conference also officially changed the name of the Conference from Sudan Bishops’ Conference to “Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference.

In his closing remarks, Cardinal Ameyu who is the SSSCBC President said, “We are pleased to announce that the Conference will now be known as The Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, to the reflect our commitment to unity and collaboration between the Catholic Communities in both countries.”

He emphasized that the Catholic Church in the two countries remains one, saying the reason for the change was very important because they need to be recognized for both Countries.