South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir appeared yesterday for prayers at St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba after nearly three months of absence.
Christians at the church where Kiir typically attends told Radio Tamazuj that the president had stayed off from the church for nearly three months though his Vice President James Wani was seen attending Mass at the cathedral sometimes.
However, Kiir cut short his Easter prayers and walked out just minutes after giving his offering. It is not clear why the president cut short his prayers.
The Easter English Mass was led by Archbishop Lukudu Loro. In his homily, the bishop urged the country’s leadership to work for peace saying today is a day for joy, happiness, reconciliation, mercy and peace, because Jesus has risen from death.
“Last Sunday we were told to be strong in our suffering, in our pain, our difficulties, our hunger, our situation in the country. We have to be patient. It is not cowardice or it is not just because we want to suffer – to continue suffering until when?” the bishop said.