March 10, 2017 (JUBA) – A South Sudan bishop…
March 10, 2017 (JUBA) – A South Sudan bishop presiding over National Day of Prayer told President Salva Kiir to “go pray alone in a room for peace in the country”.
Catholic Archbishop of Juba Diocese, Paulino Lokudu Loro said the government must choose between peace, unity, reconciliation and justice over rape, killings and arbitrary arrests.
“Mr President, go into the room [after this gathering] to pray for peace in your country,’’ said Bishop Lokudu.
The Bishop directed his warning to President Kiir, emphasising that the torture, corruption, raping, arbitrary arrests and tribalism would continue if the President misused his prayer.
Bishop Lokudu further said in a mixture of English and local Arabic “if this prayer is correct, many things should happen in this country; peace, justice, love genuine dialogue and unity should happen after this prayer. Good governance, security, good economy, provision of service, we can expect then to happen after this prayer, if it is done correctly”.
President Kiir called for the National Day of Prayer last week and delivered his own prayer before the crowd on Friday asking for divine forgiveness.
“I pray not for condemnation but for forgiveness. I had over my heart and body for your blessing, Guide me Lord for who you want me to be. Give me wisdom not for my merit but for your loving kindness,’’ said President Kiir in a prepared prayer that he read to thousands of supporters at John Garang Mausoleum.
President Salva Kiir called for “the Most Merciful God” to redirect his deeds.
“Through my shortcomings, I have sinned against You in words and deeds for what I have done,” said the president, without mentioning any specific mistakes he committed as a leader.
First Vice President Taban Deng Gai and Vice President James Wani Igga knelt as President Kiir delivered his five minute prayer.
Several Christian and Muslim sermons were delivered during the six hour prayer.
Bishop Lokudu said “A prayer should not go in vain. Ï hope you [President Kiir] called us in this heat [sun] because you want peace. After this prayer, is the government going to choose evil?”
Pentecostal Bishop Isaiah Majok Dau called for “humanity in our hearts” during the prayer. “If you are repenting today and you use to kill people, don’t kill anymore, regardless of who you are. If you are repenting today and you use to talk badly about other tribes, cease and talk about South Sudan,” added Bishop Dau.
Prominent Christian leaders attended the prayer, namely retired Catholic Bishop Diocese of Torit, Paride Taban, retired Anglican Bishop of Bor Diocese, Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, Archbishop of Anglican Church of South Sudan and Sudan Daniel Deng Bul.
Repentance and Forgiveness was the theme selected by the South Sudan Council of Churches and the event is a Sudanese public holiday with similar events taking place in all state capitals.
(ST)