A priest speaking to a congregation on Sunday in Yei in Central Equatoria State accused political leaders in the country of warmongering, saying that continuous acts of war in South Sudan mean that the politicians love war and hate peace.
The Yei Catholic Diocesan Priest Fr Joseph Arike Eugenio in his homily wondered whether the leaders remember the 21 years of civil war that claimed many lives, giving birth to the secession of South Sudan, Easter Radio reported.
He attributed lack of peace to hatred, land-grabbing, revenge and lust for power.
Fr Arike is quoted by the local Catholic radio station as saying that citizens should come together and pray to God and abandon evil deeds and thoughts to bring a lasting peace to the country.
Likewise, the Auxiliary Bishop of Juba Archdiocese is quoted as saying that citizens in the country are suffering because political leaders continue preaching violence and war.
“Bishop Santo Loku Pio in his homily at St Theresa Cathedral in Juba on Sunday said those politicians preaching war are not happy when people enjoy peace, but enjoy when citizens suffer,” the Catholic Radio Network reported.
Reporting by Catholic Radio Network
File photo: Residents in Yei march for peace in front of a Catholic Church (Reconcile International)
Related coverage:
Church says ‘blamed’ by S Sudan politicians (5 July)
Independent peace initiative launched in Juba (7 April)