Sudanese Bishops ask for prayer as country nears referendum
Excerpts from the Statement from the Sudanese Bishops to the African Anglican Bishops Conference - Kampala, Uganda, 24th - 29th August 2010.Presented by His Grace, the Most Rev Dr Daniel Deng Bul Yak
The Peace Process
The peace process in Sudan has reached a critical point. In April, we completed our first multi-party elections in 24 years and we are now less than 4 months away from the referendum on southern Sudan self-determination and popular consultations for Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile. This is a crucial part of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA). Unfortunately, there are aspects of the CPA that have not yet been implemented; this includes the demarcation of the 1st January 1956 borders and the full implementation of the Abyei protocol. We call on you to pray for this process and request you to urge your governments to support the full implementation of the CPA and to recognise and accept the outcome of the referendum.
We express our sadness at the missed opportunity for making the unity of the Sudan attractive since the signing of the CPA: the lack of reconciliation process, the lack of transparency over the National Census and oil revenues, the failure to repeal or alter laws which are contrary to the spirit of the CPA which guarantees equality and freedom for all.
We strongly condemn all inter-ethnic violence that has been witnessed in some parts of Southern Sudan, the ongoing violence against civilians in Darfur, and the violent attacks on civilians being perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the south-west of the country. We re-affirm our commitment to doubling the efforts of the Church in bringing peace and reconciliation to our people.
The Episcopal Church of Sudan therefore appeals to you all as follows:
1. We request your prayers for Sudan.
2. We request all the churches of Africa to stand firm with the people of Southern Sudan, Abyei, Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, and support the choice that they make in the upcoming referenda and popular consultations - whether for unity or separation.
3. We request especial support from you all for the Church in northern Sudan as it continues to face the official persecution from the Khartoum government. The global Church must stand united in support of our brothers and sisters who daily witness to faith in Jesus Christ whilst suffering to do so. If this does not happen then Christianity in northern Sudan has the most uncertain future and may even be facing destruction.
I stand before you today with the promise that whatever the outcome of the referenda and popular consultations, the Episcopal Church of the Sudan will remain a united Anglican province and will continue to be a source of spiritual unity, an advocate of peace for the people of Sudan.
May God bless us and all the people of Sudan with the ability to do as Christ commanded us and to live in love and peace with all.
Amen.
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