“The Church in Sudan appeals to us to help stop the war, provide humanitarian assistance, do advocacy work for peace, prepare for after the war in terms of reconciliation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and trauma healing, and above all, to pray for them,” they add.
The Catholic Church leaders go on to highlight feedback from the Catholic Bishop of El Obeid Diocese on the situation on the ground.
Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku has informed members of the Bishops’ conference that so far “there is not even a clue to the light of peace dialogue that can bring hope for the Sudanese.”
“I believe that our leaders are not ready for peace. Fighting and conflict have the upper hand as we hear them say unless we defeat the other group, we won't put down weapons,” says Bishop Trille.
“Time has come for them to think of the people and nation. The more the fighting, the more people get scattered and the more hatred grows among various Sudanese ethnic groups,” the Bishop of Ol Obeid says.
Appealing for peace in Sudan, he adds, “Kneel down to pray and hear the voice of God and the voice of the people, the children, the women that cry for peace, and also the blood that cries on the ground of very innocent people who died because of crossfire. Go back to dialogue as children of one mother and one father.”
In their statement, the Bishops in Sudan say they endorse the words of the Bishop of Ol Obeid and call for unity.
They thank Pope Francis for his concern about Sudan, adding, “We echo his heartfelt plea in early June 2024: May the weapons be silenced and, with the commitment of the local authorities and the international community, help be brought to the population and the many displaced people. May the Sudanese refugees find welcome and protection in neighboring countries.”
Making reference to the Holy Father’s message for the 2017 World Day of Peace titled “Nonviolence: a Style of Politics for Peace,” SCBC members say, “Violence is not the cure for our broken world. Countering violence with violence leads at best to forced migrations and enormous suffering because vast amounts of resources are diverted to military ends and away from the everyday needs of young people, families experiencing hardship, the elderly, the infirm, and the great majority of people in our world. At worst, it can lead to the death, physical and spiritual, of many people, if not of all.”
“We once again commit ourselves to seeking peace and justice through active nonviolence, the nonviolence of the Gospel. Nonviolence is the only viable path to peace,” they add.
