Sudanese bishop calls on government to protect clergy

KHARTOUM, Sep 14, 2003 (dpa) — The Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) said Sunday it was concerned that its priests would be subjected to human rights violations from official authorities if the government did not urgently intervene.

ECS Bishop of Khartoum Bulus Idris Tia in a statement said state security officers on Friday detained James Akol Mayuen, a priest and headmaster of an ECS school in Khartoum.

Reverend James was summoned to report to National Security for the South, a move Tia described as humiliating and intimidating.

The ECS denomination whose believers are estimated at 2.5 million is the second largest Christian sect in Sudan after the Roman Catholic Church.

Relations between the church and the ruling Islamic government in Sudan have deteriorated following intimidation, arrest and confiscation of church belongings by the authorities.

“We call upon the government to ensure that Church personnel and property are protected and respected in Sudan,” demanded the Bishop.