Rumbek Diocese organizes a 101 days prayer for the referendum

By Manyang Mayom

August 13, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Rumbek Diocese is organizing a 101 days prayer for peace during the upcoming referendum in Southern Sudan.

The Diocesan Coordinator for the peace initiative, Sister Maria Goretti, has sent out a program to all Catholic missions and centers of Rumbek Diocese, outlining activities to be implemented during the period of 101 days before the referendum takes place on 9th January 2011.

Goretti confirmed that she has sent out a program summarizing common activities, including booklets, adding that she has encouraged each parish to be flexible and take the initiative of preparing a program suitable to its context.

The monthly activities program include eucharistic celebration for peace on 19th September; special reciting of the rosary on 7th October; solemn eucharistic celebration with procession on the feast of Christ the King to be marked on 21st November; adoration and fasting on 3rd December; and finally the World Day of Peace on 1st January 2011, which will be the culmination of the entire initiative which should be “a festival of peace.”

Goretti further noted in reference to the diocesan event of the Annual Youth Congress scheduled for December as a special occasion when the youth will be encouraged to promote peace during the period leading to the referendum and to be involved in actual voting.

The “101 days of Prayer” initiative aims at bringing together the different communities in Southern Sudan in prayer for a peaceful, just and fair referendum in which the Southern Sudanese citizens will have a choice about their self-determination.

(ST)