CATHOLIC CHURCH IN JUBA TO HOLD A THREE DAYS PRAYER FOR PEACE IN SOUTH SUDAN
The head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, has extended an open invitation to all faithful and People of God in the Archdiocese of Juba "to pray for a peaceful implementation of the agreement leading to a lasting peace in South Sudan".
The Secretary General of the Archdiocese, Fr. Gabriel Asida, has sent a letter to all parishes and religious communities in the Archdiocese to invite them to join this special prayer for peace.
This special triduum prayer for peace in South Sudan will be from Wednesday 20 to Friday 22 April 2016. The three days prayer will be concluded with a Eucharistic celebration held at St. Theresa Cathedral church presided over by the Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro on Saturday, 23 April.
A violent political crisis has engulfed South Sudan since 15 December 2013. The conflict that began in Juba rapidly spread across the country and soon became a brutal civil war with millions of people displaced, tens of thousands killed, entire villages torched, public and private properties looted and destroyed and communities divided. The country has also faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
A peace agreement was signed in August 2015 by the leader of SPLM in Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar, and the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir. Later on, President Kiir appointed the opposition leader, Riek Machar, as first vice-president of South Sudan.
Riek Machar is expected to return to Juba this Tuesday 19 April and is set to take up his post as first vice-president in the transitional government which both leaders are expected to form. The expectation is that South Sudan may finally be on the road to peace.
"With the glimpse of hope and peace over South Sudan... each parish is asked to dedicate a three days of special prayer for peace in South Sudan", reads the invitation to the three days prayer for peace in the country.
Following the three days prayer in the parishes, faithful will gather on Saturday 23 April at 9.00 am at the Assumption chapel, in Kelibala, and will proceed to the Cathedral in Kator for the Eucharistic celebration.
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