Bishop’s Christmas message: South Sudan leaders must accept peace

Paulino Lukudu Loro

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba Paulino Lukudu Loro on Saturday asked South Sudan leaders to bring about peace to the people of South Sudan who are suffering from war and hunger.

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba Paulino Lukudu Loro on Saturday asked South Sudan leaders to bring about peace to the people of South Sudan who are suffering from war and hunger.

He said the Christmas has a message of peace to the people of South Sudan.

“Our country is six years old but for four years we have been fighting and killing ourselves. This has caused a lot of displacement and mass migration of our people into neighbouring countries, besides the loss of many lives.” Lukudu said.

The Archbishop also asked God to enable the warring parties to bring an end to the violence, displacement, food insecurity and guarantee access to humanitarian aid.

"May this celebration of the Lord’s birth renew us in God’s love, and may you, your families and your loved ones walk always in the light of the Lord.”

The church leader said the revitalization process and national dialogue should stop war and human rights abuses in the country.

"I am happy that the first thing they have done during the peace meeting in Addis Ababa, the representatives agreed to stop war to bring dialogue,” he said.

The bishop pointed out that the agreement on the cessation of hostilities is a gift from God to the people of South Sudan. “Let’s begin to believe even if we are losing hope. Christmas has come to revitalize us in this country,” he said.

He urged the government and opposition groups to stop fighting so the people of South Sudan can start work and development.