Episcopal Church calls for tolerance and unity

By Ngor Arol Garang

April 10, 2011 (WAU) – The Episcopal Church of Sudan on Sunday has called on South Sudanese to let the tenets of loyalty to the region unite them as one people with a common destiny.

Speaking to a congregation in the Episcopal Church in Wau on Sunday Reverend John Deng said there was the need for South Sudanese to eschew corrupt practices and all other negative tendencies likely to bring down the fortunes of the nation and serve the oil producing region of south Sudan with humility and truth to promote the necessary development.

He said the lessons of history was that corruption, indiscipline and recklessness among other vices were recipe for the collapse of many kingdoms, nations and families adding, to avoid it, South Sudanese should rediscover their true humility as created in God’s image.

Rev. Deng expressed concern about political intolerance in the region in recent times, which has manifested in insults in the media, allegations of defection, accusations and counter accusations among politicians.

“South Sudan is the only place we have and it is important for all of us to be tolerant of each other and accept each other’s views so as to ensure peace and national unity.” he said.

“All those who do not agree due to political differences will not go anywhere. They are all members and leaders of political parties in South Sudan. So why is it difficult for brothers and sisters to sit down and resolve their differences amicably?”

“There is no reason to create confusion and chaos just because you do not agree with two or three people in the whole country. To whom are you leaving your ancestral land?” he asked.

He said people belonging to different political parties should not see themselves as enemies but rather as one people with different political ideologies in order to maintain the peace the nation was enjoying.

(ST)