SOUTH SUDAN: Pax Christi Int’l issues message of prayers & solidarity with the people of South Sudan

Brussels, 27 December 2013

Dear Bishop Paride Taban,
Dear friends of the Kuron Peace Village,
Dear friends of Pax Christi in South Sudan and elsewhere,

As members of Pax Christi International we want to assure you that we stand with the people of South Sudan at this critical moment. Two years ago, South Sudan became independent and many of you celebrated that new momentum as a historical step in the direction of freedom and democracy. Since mid-December of this year, violence has escalated which led to hundreds of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of people in the country. Today, we are deeply concerned about the future of the country.

We mourn with those who have lost loved ones and are grieving. Innocent civilians are being targeted because of their ethnicity. This is a grave violation of human rights.

Pax Christi International, together with Pope Francis, is calling for social harmony in South Sudan. Political leaders should settle their differences peacefully. We support the political mediation as given by neighbouring countries. We also support all efforts from religious leaders in the country to call for peaceful existence which should be restored as soon as possible…

To read the entire message, click here.