Tombura-Yambio – “Invest in peace: for everyone, everywhere, every day.” This is the heart of the message addressed to the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan by Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, celebrated today, 21 September.
“Peace is more than the absence of war. It requires justice, dignity, security, reconciliation and the courage to rebuild trust,” writes the Bishop, President of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference , in a statement sent to Fides. “Our peoples have carried wounds for too long. But our wounds belong to our history; peace is the legacy we must leave to our children.”
The message stems from the experience of populations marked by “conflict, displacement, grief and fear”, yet, the Bishop stresses, who “continue to hope”. He therefore calls for special prayers for the victims of violence, displaced families, refugees, children who grow up in fear, and all those who still bear the wounds of conflict.
At a particularly delicate moment for Sudan and South Sudan, Hiiboro addresses all sectors of society: political leaders, citizens, religious and traditional leaders, women and young people. “Let our differences never become reasons for violence,” he urges. “Let dialogue replace confrontation, and let public authority serve the common good.”
He makes a particular appeal with regard to the electoral processes for which the two countries are preparing. “May every citizen’s dignity and rights be respected,” the Bishop says, calling for political participation that is “peaceful and free from fear, intimidation and violence”. He adds: “Political disagreement must never turn a neighbour into an enemy.”
Addressing young people in particular, the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio urges them not to inherit the legacy of hatred: “Do not inherit the hatred of yesterday. Build bridges across communities and differences. Choose education, faith, service and reconciliation over violence.”
His appeal extends to families, Churches, mosques, traditional leaders and the media, all of whom are called to become “builders of peace”. “Our words and actions can either deepen wounds or help heal them,” the Bishop stresses.
In conclusion, Hiiboro entrusts the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan, and all those committed to building peace, to God: “May God comfort the grieving, heal the wounded, protect the vulnerable, enlighten our leaders and strengthen all who work for justice, reconciliation and peace.”
“May Sudan find peace. May South Sudan find peace. May Africa find peace,” he concludes. “Let us begin where peace begins: peace begins with me. Peace begins with you. Peace begins with us. May the Lord make us instruments of His peace.”
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