Catholic bishops have met with President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit in an expression of willingness to join efforts with the government for the attainment of peace and growth of the people in the Republic of South Sudan.
The delegation of the Catholic bishops included Mgr. Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of Tombura-Yambio; and Mgr. Stephen Amenyu, Archbishop of Juba.
At the end of the meeting, Mgr. Hiiboro said: “We met the Head of State to assure him of our closeness as leader of the Church and as representatives of the Bishops’ Conference, we went on behalf of the people of South Sudan to assure him our willingness to collaborate with him and to work with him and with the government for the peace and growth of our people in the Republic of South Sudan.”
“THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO WITHOUT THE CHURCH”
During the meeting, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit said, “The government cannot do without the Church.”
This assertion made by the president is a robust manifestation of the key role played by the Catholic Church and His Holiness Pope Francis in particular in the attainment of peace worldwide. Since the onset of his papacy, the Pope has left no stone unturned in the quest of global peace and prosperity. He visited numerous countries in the world, holding talks with world leaders, praying for peace, and signing documents that entrench peace among the various components of societies. Among the most outstanding one is the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” signed the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyib on February 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi.
Pope Francis has made tireless efforts for peace in South Sudan. During his meeting with the leaders of the warring parties in the Vatican on April 11, 2019, the Pope said, "To the three of you who signed the Peace Agreement, I ask you, as a brother, remain in peace. I ask you from the heart. Let us move forward. There will be many problems, but don’t be afraid, go forward, resolve the problems”.
In impromptu remarks following his address, Pope Francis said, “You have started a process; may it end well. Although struggles will arise, he said, these should stay “within the office”. However in public, he said, “before the people: [keep your] hands united”. In this way, the Pope said, “from simple citizens, you will become Fathers of the Nation”.
Pope Francis announced in November 2019 that he intended to visit South Sudan in 2020. His wish could not be fulfilled as in early 2020 coronavirus pandemic spread to inflict numerous world countries. Such a visit to South Sudan, once fulfilled, will definitely enroot peace and security in the nascent state of South Sudan.
The Pope prayed and pleaded with Lord Jesus asking Him “to touch with the power of the Spirit the depths of every human heart, so that enemies will be open to dialogue, adversaries will join hands and peoples will meet in harmony.”
The Catholic Church will assiduously pursue its global mission in the world by helping bring about global peace and prosperity, as well as help the poor and the needy.
