The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has told South Sudanese leaders that peace and reconciliation can only be achieved through their commitment.
He says it is the accountability of the leaders to see that everlasting peace reigns in the country.
“We cannot pick and choose parts of a peace agreement, every person must do every part, and that costs much; the answer to peace and reconciliation is not visits like this, but it is in your hands.”
Through their ecumenical prayer in South Sudan, Welby hopes their visit to the country will bring permanent peace and bind the hearts of the leaders and citizens in the country as one.
“In this visit, we will pray for peace, we will call upon the holy spirits to enter our hearts, and the hearts of those who carry the weight and the pain of the great responsibility so that Jesus Christ may see his prayers answered, that they may be one.”
‘God loves the people of South Sudan; God has heard your stories and your suffering; God hears your prayers, ‘he added.
Welby says he is sad to see that despite efforts made in 2019 during the Rome Peace talks by civil societies, organizations, and churches for peace and reconciliation, tragedies still befall the country.
For his part, Rt Rev Dr. Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, advised the leaders to care about the values by which the country lives and the conditions in which the people live.
“We need leaders to act in accordance of their faith and work amongst the most vulnerable and marginalized people.”
Greenshields says the people of South Sudan are becoming tired and that, to date, nothing fruitful is coming out, regardless of the peace talks that have been conducted.
He urged all political, civil society, and international leaders to join together in seeking God’s holistic line and fullness for God’s people.
His Holiness Pope Francis, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Rt Rev Dr. Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will hold Ecumenical prayer at John Garang Mausoleum today, February 4, 2023
