CMSI responding to South Sudan crisis
As the crisis worsens in South Sudan and East Africa, the Church Mission Society Ireland has continued to discuss with its Global Partners how best to support them as they respond to the suffering on their doorsteps.
The current food shortages have added to what was already a humanitarian disaster in South Sudan – thousands of innocent people being slaughtered; hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other parts of the country or in neighbouring countries.
Speaking about the latest developments, CMSI’s Partnership Coordinator for South Sudan, Linda Abwa commented:
“CMSI welcomes the various emergency appeals that have been launched in recent weeks and we encourage people to support these appeals. The suffering in South Sudan has gone largely unnoticed for far too long – this recent turn of events is part of a much bigger story of turmoil and devastation.
“We ask for continued prayer for the Church in South Sudan, which has been working tirelessly in recent years to care for the displaced, the hungry and the hurting. The Church is one of the main sources of hope and help in this crisis – it’s often where people turn in times of need. We want to stand with our partners and champion their work.”
In addition to its own South Sudan Appeal (details on the CMSI website), CMSI is providing opportunities to find out more about the crisis and to pray for the Church in South Sudan. Three ‘drop–in’ prayer days have been organised for the coming weeks. They will each run from 10am to 2pm and will feature various interactive prayer stations as well as an opportunity to contribute to a ‘Book of Blessing’ for each of CMSI’s four partner dioceses in South Sudan.
Saturday 8th April – Dromore Cathedral
Saturday 29th April – Ballyrashane Parish
Saturday 13th May – Kill O’ The Grange Parish
On Friday 19th May, CMSI will host a special event about the South Sudan crisis and the Church’s response. The guest speaker will be Bishop Anthony Poggo, who is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Adviser on Anglican Communion Affairs and was formerly Bishop of Kajo–Keji Diocese in South Sudan. The event is taking place in Grosvenor Hall, Belfast and will include contributions from other agencies, as well as opportunities for discussion and prayer. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.