The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Portal Welby, has said that achieving peace in South Sudan will benefit other parts of the world that are grappling with crises including the people in Ukraine and will give them hope.

He made the remarks at All Saints Cathedral in Juba over the weekend during a homily at a service attended by thousands of Christians from the South Sudan Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Welby who was preaching about the importance of peace and reconciliation in the country pointed out that there is a force of darkness in South Sudan that required light from the Christians as written in the gospel of John.

“There is a darkness over South Sudan and many other countries in this world but John Chapter says ‘the light is not overcome by the darkness,’” he said.

The prelate said Christians are the light of South Sudan.

“People of Christ are the light of this nation. If South Sudan finds peace, the World will find hope, the women in Congo will rejoice if you find peace, the refugees will rejoice if you find peace and the soldiers in Ukraine will rejoice if you find peace,” he emphasized.  

The spiritual leader of the Anglican Church said his heart is broken by the situation in South Sudan, that he is horrified and could hardly speak about the situation in the country.

Welby’s sermon touched several congregants at the service and Samuel Chol, who prays at the All Saints Cathedral, revealed that he was one of those touched by the message of healing and forgiveness.

“His message really appealed to our souls and he (Welby) touched me when he asked if we will live in peace and reconcile,” Chol said.  “All these messages are his prayers and are pleasing and if we put them in our hearts and practice them as Christians before he leaves, we will realize stability and peace in this country.”

For her part, Irene Moses, another congregant, urged the citizens to take the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the pope, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland as an opportunity to open a new chapter.