SOUTH SUDAN: “Do Not Waste Time with Conflicts for Power that Uses Poverty and Ignorance” Says Bishop Carlassare to South Sudanese
Photo of Bishop Christian Carlassare talking to the community of Bentiu in Juba during his arrival from Rembek Diocese
Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
Bishop Christian Carlassare of the Catholic Diocese of Bentiu in South Sudan has condemned the clashes between armed groups in Abiemnhom County of Parieng State, Ruweng, on 2nd April, which left about 37 people dead and several injured, terming the violence as “neither understandable nor acceptable”.
Quoting a Brazilian bishop that “the only legitimate war is the one declared against poverty and ignorance”, he urged the people of South Sudan not to waste time with conflicts for power that uses poverty and ignorance as weapons but let to disarm themselves and face poverty and ignorance together so that they may end soon.
In his letter shared with AMECEA Online News, Bishop Carlassare noted that the contention over cows brought a terrible escalation of violence against the innocent population of Abiemnhom displacing them in Ajakuac in Twic County, and the parish priest of Our Lady Help of Christians has abandoned the parish together with the Christians.
“Reports say that tens of people have been left dead (about 37), several more people injured, and much of the population of Abiemnhom displaced in Ajakuac, in the nearby Twic County. The parish priest of Our Lady Help of Christians had to abandon the parish together with the Christians. They are now in Agook, about 1,000 people. They have lost most of their properties and have nothing to eat even though the local population is helping them in emergency”, bishop says in his letter dated April 5th.
The prelate who is a member of Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) has invited all the Catholic faithful of Bentiu Diocese to pray for peace as they are all wounded by the act of violence.
“I invite all the Catholic faithful of our diocese to pray even more intensely for peace as we are all wounded by this act of violence and we feel the pain of our brothers and sisters in Abiemnhom”.
Bishop Carlassare who also serves as the administrator of Rumbek diocese asked parishes to make a special collection to send help to Christians displaced in Agook as a way of showing solidarity to their brethren.
“I ask our parishes to make a special collection during this fifth Sunday of Lent to send help to our Christians displaced in Agook. We want to show true solidarity to our brethren. Each parish priest is in charge to collect this heartfelt gift and send it to Fr. Bulus Reth in Agook”.
To calm the situation, he called on those in authority in Unity State and in Ruweng Administrative Area and to overcome the crisis through dialogue.
“I invite those in authority in Unity State and in Ruweng Administrative Area, especially in Mayom County and in Abiemnhom County to collaborate and restore dialogue to overcome this crisis together. Violence can never be justified”.
Addressing the authorities in his letter he added, “The responsibility of those in authority is actually of listening to their community and to make a bridge with the neighbouring community to find understanding and common ground to solve the arising issues. We cannot allow some elements of our communities to rob us of the peace and security we need”.
He further asked those with selfish interest to stop inciting local communities to violence and advocated for a comprehensive disarmament.
