Press Releases
CMSI echoes renewed call for peace by South Sudan Church leaders
Following a joint statement by Church leaders in South Sudan, the Church Mission Society Ireland (CMSI) is once again urging people in Ireland to pray for peace. In particular, CMSI is asking churches to include South Sudan in their prayers this Sunday.
Following a meeting last week in Nairobi, Kenya, the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) issued a joint statement, in which they call on political leaders to pursue peace. The statement, entitled ‘Peace Now!’ includes a renewed commitment to ‘pursue a vision that will bring our people out of the desert of this violence to an oasis of peace where all the fragmented people of South Sudan will seek a vibrant and cohesive nation that is one people, one nation, and one South Sudan.’
The Most Rev Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, was among those leaders who issued the statement. Archbishop Justin is well known within the Church of Ireland, having been hosted by CMSI and the Diocese of Down and Dromore on a number of occasions.
In October 2017, Archbishop Justin spoke at Crossing Bridges, a peace and reconciliation event hosted by CMSI in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. As a follow–up to that event, plans are coming together for a CMSI Peace and Reconciliation Conference taking place in Arua, Northern Uganda from 15th–17th October.
This conference involves link parishes from Down and Dromore Diocese, Connor Diocese and Albany Diocese, USA. Archbishop Justin will be speaking along with representatives from Reconcile, an organisation from Yei Diocese, South Sudan.
Speaking about the statement from the SSCC, CMSI Partnership Coordinator for South Sudan, Linda Abwa, said: “The violence, chaos and insecurity continue in South Sudan, with no sign of an end. Lives and livelihoods are being lost every day. Meanwhile, the Church continues to walk the path of peace, bringing help and hope to those whose lives have been devastated. This statement from Archbishop Justin and his colleagues is a powerful reminder that we must keep standing with our brothers and sisters and uphold them in our prayers. We hope that many churches will join us in praying for South Sudan this Sunday.”
For more information, contact Roger Cooke (CMSI Mission Resource Manager) on ++44 (0)28 9077 5020 or rogercooke@cmsireland.org