We, the Provincial Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS), met in Rumbek, Lakes State between 23rd and 27th November 2009, at the generous hospitality of the Diocese of Rumbek and the Government of Lakes State. We wish to give our heartfelt thanks to the Rt. Rev. Alapayo Manyang Kuctiel, Bishop of Rumbek, and H.E. Lt. Gen. Daniel Awet Akot, Governor of Lakes State, for their hosting of this great meeting and their exemplary hospitality for the entire week of the meeting. It has been an excellent opportunity for discussing issues of Church governance, management and structure; the expansion of Christianity in the Sudan, and the state of our great nation today, which we now bring to your attention.
The peace process in Sudan has reached a critical point. With less than five months before National Elections and just over one year to the referendum on southern self-determination, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is on the brink of collapse due to contentions over the referendum law, the demarcation of the 1st January 1956 borders, and violence recently perpetrated by other armed groups. We, the Provincial Standing Committee of the ECS affirm our role to act urgently to support the implementation of the CPA: through our internal Church networks, our ecumenical and inter-faith partners within Sudan and our international partner support.
There have been reports that cynical officials in the north have encouraged the wicked Lord’s Resistance Army into Darfur among other actions to destabilise the region.
Prayers for the Church of Sudan and the people of that country who are suffering so much.
Unfortunately, Pageanmaster (#1), I think there is NOTHING despicable or wicked that the National Islamic Front regime isn’t capable of perpetrating, often shamelessly and openly. In a world full of awful tyrants and evil dictators, I personally feel that Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir is the absolute worst of them all, worse than Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, or the insane fool who rules North Korea, etc.
This plaintive appeal of the Sudanese Church is eloquent, but I’m afraid it’s apt to fall on deaf ears. The US and its allies in Iraq are understandably tired of foreign interventions. And alas, there can be little doubt that only STRONG international compulsion (read: military force) will make Bashir and his regime comply with the CPA. Economic sanctions haven’t worked.
But at least the Church of Jesus Christ, and not least the Anglican Church, can help mitigate the horrendous suffering being inflicted on our brothers and sisters in that tormented part of the world. I hope that at least WE can show that we aren’t deaf to their anguished cries. With Sudan being so close to Egypt, I can’t help but be reminded of the plight of the ancient Hebrews when they were slaves there, and brutally oppressed.
[i]”Then the LORD said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their dry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them…”[/i] (Exodus 3:7-8a, ESV)
David Handy+