The family of the late Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth has called on leaders of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) to set aside their longstanding differences and unite for his funeral.
Bishop Anyieth, the first Anglican bishop of Bor, died on
Tuesday in Nairobi at the age of 86 following a brief illness. Consecrated in
1984, he served as the pioneer diocesan bishop of Bor and was widely respected
for his spiritual leadership, humility, and dedication to the community.
In recent years, divisions within the ECSS have prevented
some church leaders from participating in official ceremonies. Last year, a
team led by Moses Anur Ayom was blocked from attending a church event in
Jonglei due to a longstanding conflict with the office of the Primate.
John Wuoi Magany, a close family member, said the funeral
should serve as a unifying moment.
“Your own differences that involve Anur, Akurdid and Badi
must be put aside. If there is a pastor or a bishop coming to the burial, that
is the bishop or a pastor of Nathaniel. If there is anything that should unite
you as church leaders, it is this burial of Nathaniel,” Magany said.
“The family does not need bickering. Stay as Christians.
Even Muslims who are friends to Bishop Nathaniel are welcome to mourn with us.”
Manyang Gabriel Kon Atem, communication director for the
office of the Primate echoed the call for peace.
“As ECS, the church is for peace and that is what we are up
to. We don’t have any problem with the church in Bor. Now, we are in the
process of bringing the remain of the late Bishop Nathaniel to be brought to
South Sudan. We are waiting for official communication from the immediate
family,” Atem stated.
Rev. David Per Dut, dean of Bor Cathedral, emphasized church
unity for the late bishop’s farewell and invited anyone who knew Garangdit or
was taught by him to attend the burial.
“No one will be blocked. We all know that there are issues
within the church, but those administrative issues will not be reflected during
mourning,” Dut said.
The ECSS split in August 2020 when Primate Justin Badi Arama
excommunicated Archbishop Rueben Akurdid over alleged canonical disobedience.
Moses Anur Ayom was appointed in Akurdid’s place in Jonglei, fueling further
disputes in Bor.
Akurdid’s legal challenge against the church was later
dismissed by the Juba High Court, which urged church leadership to resolve the
matter internally. Government-led mediation in 2022 failed to reconcile the
factions.
The family hopes Bishop Garang’s funeral will provide an opportunity for reconciliation and unity among the church leadership, emphasizing respect for his legacy over ongoing disputes.