South Sudan priest highlights unity ahead of visit by Church leaders

Pope Francis kneels to kiss the feet of South Sudan's rival leaders in Vatican (AFP)

 

The ecumenical pilgrimage of peace to South Sudan by Pope Francis and other Christian leaders is crucial for the country, according to a Catholic priest familiar with the arrangements.

He also spoke of the church unity that had been apparent in the preparations.

Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will visit South Sudan from 3-5 February.

The visit is expected to support a fragile peace in the world’s youngest nation, which has struggled with violence since its independence in 2011.

On the political front, it is hoped the visit will encourage leading politicians to choose peace instead of gun violence or war.

Fr John Gbemboyo Joseph Mbikoyezu, the coordinator of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference, said the “spiritual” visit led by the universal Church leaders would help unite Christians in prayers for South Sudan.

“It is also a spiritual moment to reinforce our will, desire and determination for peace, even among our families and our people. We take the visit as very important for the peace,” said Fr Mbikoyezu.

“The church is united under the Sudan Council of Churches.”

Last year, the government renovated the churches in Juba and had prepared the roads for the original visit, which was cancelled due to the Pope's mobility problems.

According to Fr Mbikoyezu, the government committees are the revisiting task. Arrangements are also being made to ensure the city can cope with the influx of visitors. 

Fr Mbikoyezu said the Churches had renewed their committees and were all frequently visiting and evaluating the sites of pilgrimage.

“They are working with one heart,” he said.

But as Juba prepares to receive the Christian leaders, humanitarian officials say that ethnic violence in areas including Upper Nile, Unity States and Jonglei remains a concern.

By December, the violence had killed an unspecified number and displaced 9000. The fighting over grazing land, water, cultivation land and other resources triggers persistent violence, according to reports.

A United Nations peacekeeper with internally displaced persons outside Juba, South Sudan, in 2016. The country has seen persistent violence following its independence in 2011.
United Nations photo