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“Forgiveness can build bridges, repair broken relationships”: Catholic Bishop in S. Sudan

Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam of South Sudan's Wau Diocese/ Credit: Courtesy Photo

The Catholic Bishop of Wau Diocese in South Sudan has underscored the need for forgiveness among the people of God in the East-Central African nation, saying the practice can “build bridges” and “repair broken relationships.”

In an interview with Voice of Hope Radio (VoH) reported Monday, November 28, Bishop Matthew Remijio said forgiveness can also help build “a more peaceful common future” within communities.

“Forgiveness can help build bridges between opposing people and help repair broken relationships,” Bishop Remijio said in the interview, adding, “It will also help us to build a more peaceful common future and ultimately sustain peace within our communities.”

The South Sudanese member of Comboni Missionaries (MCCJ) emphasized the need for the people of God to seek forgiveness in order to live in harmony with God and our fellow brothers and sisters.”

“Without asking for our sins to be forgiven, we will face eternal separation from God,” the 50-year-old Catholic Bishop who has been at the helm of Wau Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in January 2021 said.

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He went on to highlight mistakes Christians make that distance them from God’s love and forgiveness, saying, “We cannot seek God’s forgiveness when we continue to live in violence, hatred, jealousy, and envy.”

Bishop Remijio urged Christian “to ask for forgiveness with a pure heart.”

Reflecting on the Liturgical Season of Advent, the Catholic Bishop said, “It’s a time the Church has given each and every one of us the chance to ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness so as to be closer to one another.”

He invited the people of God under his pastoral care to “devote more time on the messages of salvation.”

“If we commit ourselves as Christians to the messages of salvation, the rate of violence and crime we are experiencing in our society would reduce,” the South Sudanese Catholic Bishop told VoH.

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He underscored the need for conversion during Advent, advocating for change “to a new life during this season.”

“It’s time to come together as Christians to prepare our hearts and minds for the anniversary of the Lord's birth on Christmas,” Bishop Remijio says in the interview that was reported November 28.

Patrick Juma Wani is a South Sudanese journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. Patrick holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from Makerere Institute for Social Development (MISD) in Uganda. He has over 7 years of extensive experience in leading the development and implementation of media, advocacy, communication and multimedia strategy and operations, with an excellent track record of editorial leadership, budget management, and stakeholder outreach. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.