The defrocked Archbishop of Jonglei Internal Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Reuben Akurdid Ngong, has apologized to Archbishop Justin Badi Arama after three years of power wrangle.
“Please accept my sincere apologies for the consequences of my actions and decisions which might have led to this misunderstanding. I take responsibility for my actions and any wrong impression these actions might have created,” partly reads an apology letter signed by Akurdid.
The Episcopal Church of South Sudan or ECSS split in August 2020 when Badi excommunicated Akurdid, accusing him of canonical disobedience for turning down suspension a year earlier.
The primate went on to appoint Moses Anur Ayom as the replacement of Akurdid in Jonglei Internal Province – an action that resulted in more religious crisis in the church in Bor when Akurdid refused to step down.
Akurdid and his camp went on to open a court case against the Episcopal Church senior administration in Juba, the case which was later declared null and void by Juba High Court and asked the church leadership to handle it.
The office of the president intervene and called for government led mediation between Akurdid and his superiors Badi Arama in July 2022.
When contacted by Mingkaman 100 FM to explain the apology letter dated June 10, the press secretary for Akurdid, Philip Maluak Deng, said they were persuaded to write the letter.
“There is nothing new we are doing apart from what we resolved on Friday in the Office of the President. The way Akurdid was defrocked will be the same way he will be reinstated,” Maluak told Mingkaman FM.
The Communication Officer for the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Gabriel Manyang Kon Atem, did not answer several phone calls to him to comment on the apology letter.
However, Akurdid’s camp claims that the office of the primate has accepted to reinstate him.