Anglican bishops from the Central Equatoria Internal Province have affirmed their commitment to work with the Central Equatoria State government to promote peace, unity, and reconciliation.
The clergy led by Archbishop Dr. Paul Pitiya Yugusuk paid Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony a courtesy call in the state Government Secretariat Thursday.
“Archbishop Dr. Yugusuk reaffirmed their unequivocal commitment as religious leaders to continue collaborating with the government to improve civil-military relations, trauma healing, and reconciliation as well as expediting the return program,” a statement on the governor’s Facebook page partially reads.
According to the statement, Governor Emmanuel Adil applauded the church leaders for the complimentary role they play in uniting the people and ensuring peace and reconciliation at the grassroots.
“Governor Adil also pledged to strengthen the working relations between the government and the church towards consolidating the revitalized peace agreement. He further urged the bishops to use their respective positions of influence to engage the holdout groups who are still carrying arms against the government to denounce violence and join the wagon of peace,” the statement reads.
Other officials who attended the meeting include the commissioners of Yei River Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa, Morobo’s Joseph Mawa John, and Lainya’s Emmanuel Khamis Richard among other key state officials.
The meeting follows the just concluded 11th Provincial Synod held in All Saint’s Cathedral in Juba where the House of Bishops, Clergy, and the Laity gathered and discussed potential ways of furthering the Anglican Communion doctrines and work for the propagation of peace and reconciliation in the country.