Revealed on 30 January 2023
3 minutes study
The Moderator of the Widespread Assembly has suggested of us to want for the folks of South Sudan ahead of his historic ecumenical discuss with to the country this week.
He talked about he, Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury are making their Pilgrimage of Peace “as servants” to face in unified concord with native of us and “amplify” their cries as they proceed to suffer from battle, flooding and famine.
South Sudan acquired independence from Sudan in 2011 and there was once good hope for the country nonetheless communities had been torn apart by means of violence and an estimated 400,000 of us have misplaced their lives.
It’s estimated that 9.4 million of us need humanitarian assist and spherical two million had been displaced from their properties.
Dr Greenshields, Pope Francis and Most Rev Justin Welby had been invited to South Sudan by means of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and might meet with him and his 5 vice presidents throughout the capital city of Juba.
The three non secular leaders may even meet native church representatives, political leaders, civil battle victims residing in a displaced people camp and lead an enormous open-air prayer vigil for peace.
Christian concord
Dr Greenshields talked about: “South Sudan is the youngest nation on the earth and has monumental doable.
“Its largest helpful useful resource is its of us and I’m humbled on the choice to return again alongside and strengthen our brothers and sisters of their search for peace, reconciliation and justice.
“This generally is a privilege to be changing into a member of Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury on this historic ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace and we come as servants of the worldwide Church, joined throughout the concord of the Holy Spirit to produce our encouragement.
“The Church buildings in South Sudan – Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic – have essential place to play in supporting efforts to convey peace to the nation and we’re honoured to be part of this journey.”
Presbyterianism was once supplied to Sudan firstly of the 20 th century by means of American missionaries and lately the Church of Scotland has an skilled partnership with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and helps its Presbyterian Assist and Constructing Firm.
The country has a inhabitants of spherical 10.9 million of us and between 60-70% of them set up as Christian.
Credit score rating – Dicastero in step with l. a. Promozione dell’Unità dei Cristiani
The Church there – Presbyterian, Catholic and Anglican – was once instrumental in ensuring that the country became neutral peacefully.
Dr Greenshields talked about: “The Church of Scotland has been operating intently with the Church in South Sudan since 2015 to strengthen important work on peace, reconciliation and battle reply.
“It has helped native church leaders work at every a grassroots diploma and political diploma to try and convey ineffective battle to an end and assemble lasting peace, steadiness and concord.
“We pray that this discuss with may be a catalyst for the leaders of South Sudan to focus on what unites them and no longer what divides them for they’re all favored equally throughout the eyes of the Lord.
“And to take motion for the sake of the best way ahead for all their of us to confirm a merely peace which allows all people the prospect to flourish and reside healthful and happy lives.
“There’s nonetheless rather a lot work to do and the symbolism of this historic ecumenical discuss with after centuries of division between parts of the Christian Church sends out an excessively sturdy message about our steadfast dedication to standing in concord with the church buildings and people of this nation.
“We encourage the folks of South Sudan to current expression to Jesus’ phrases that ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be known as the children of God.”
The ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace (3-5 February) was once promised all through a non secular retreat on the Vatican in 2019 attended by means of South Sudanese political leaders.
Remaining November, a historic declaration of friendship between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland was once signed at Dunfermline Abbey.
Named after the eleventh century Scottish Queen who’s buried throughout the abbey, the St Margaret Declaration is the top results of years of ecumenical courting development between the two Church buildings which recognise each totally different as brothers and sisters in Christ.