Juba Primate calls upon Christians to join Church’s body for justice and peace
By Isaac Vuni
October 31, 2007 (JUBA) — The Catholic Archbishop of Juba, His Grace Paulino Lokudu Loro has today appeal to professionals and committed lay Christians within the Archdiocese of Juba to join Justice and Peace Commission for promoting none violence, reconstruction and development of 21 years war torn Southern Sudan.
His Grace Lokudu also appealed to all catholic faithful to foster unity at all time in their day to day operations through implementation of justice and peace famous motor of see, judge and act; adding that reconciliation is a big issue that need also to be seriously address during the time of reconstruction and development of 21 years war torn Southern Sudan by excising healing of healer’s programmes through the justice and peace commission of the archdiocese of Juba.
The primate made the appeal when launching the first and a unique one day workshop organized for Catholic Diocesan and Religious priests including lay members of Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Juba that was established in 1986 without any guidance due to then demanding and appealing situation particularly in Juba.
The primate also challenged priests within the archdiocese of Juba to make their faithful aware of justice and peace commission’s practices within their areas of jurisdiction.
The one day workshop was organized by Catholic Diocesan Director of Justice and Peace Commission, Fr. Consantino Pitia under the theme, “The role of priest and it seriously examine the challenges facing Sudanese society such as rampant violence in various cities of southern Sudan particularly in Juba the capital of southern Sudan, none implementation of the CPA, tribalism, nepotism in recruitment grouping in the government of Southern Sudan, sectionalism and regionalism, lack of employment of the indigenous southern Sudanese, rampant corruption, lack of basic health care services, land grapping, violence against women, substance abuse, cattle raiding, in security among others and it was facilitated jointly by Mr. Victor Scheffers, Director of Justice and Peace, Netherlands and Mrs. Maitine Benschop, consultant, center for Justice and Reconciliation, Netherlands.
On the other hand, the participants defined justice to means equal distribution of resources and availing rights to all people without discrimination base either on gender, ethnicity, colour or religion.
While peace is defined as a situation where there is acceptance of responsibility at all levels of society, respect for human dignity, trust, love and provision of basic needs to the people including provision of tranquillity, social and economic justice. All concern and committed professional Christians are invited for a meeting on Monday November 5th 2007 at St. Joseph parish in Juba at 10 am.
(ST)