Outgoing Bor Bishop confident of peace and development after independence

By Philip Thon Aleu & John Actually

June 10, 2011 (BOR) – The outgoing Bishop of Bor, Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, has said he is confident that South Sudan will develop peacefully and that he is not concerned by insecurity as the region approaches independence from the north in July.

Sudan’s mainly Christian south voted to secede from the predominantly Arabic speaking and Muslim north in a January referendum agreed as part of a 2005 peace deal.

Bishop Garang told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that he does not fear for the future of South Sudan.

Speaking at the compound – dotted with grass thatched huts – which has been the headquarters of Bor diocese since 1984, Bishop Garang encouraged young people to look for work.

“The only thing is freedom. Our land is very open … The work is created by human beings. We have everything. We have a land. We have water. We have animal resources; all everything. We have something to do and that is why we were fighting; to do work,” he said.

The veteran bishop, joined South Sudan’s Anyanya guerilla army in 1955 only to change course and go into the Church. Consecrated in 1984 as Bishop of Bor diocese. Bishop Garang is due to retire on Sunday June 12, 2011 when he will be succeeded by Ruben Akur Ngong.

Describing the started of his career Garang said: “It was difficult. There was no transport, no cars, no telephones, no one hire you but I have achieved something and that is why a new bishop is coming up,” he said. “There are many changes and new dioceses through my work,” he added.

Bishop Garang said that there were no permanent churches in Bor diocese because: “You cannot do two things at the same time.” From 1983 until 2005 South Sudan fought an bitter civil war against various Khartoum governments. Now that there is peace “we are going to fight back to development”, he said.

‘SOUTH SUDAN A BETTER PLACE’

South Sudanese voted overwhelmingly to secede from north Sudan in accordance to 2005 peace deal that end two decades of civil war. South Sudan independence will be celebrated on July 9, 2011.

The 1983—2005 north-south conflict started in Bor, while the first Sudanese civil war 1955—1972 was launched in Torit, Eastern Equatoria state. South Sudan has been at conflict against Khartoun (and often with itself) for most Sudan’s 55 years of independence from Anglo-Egyptian rule.

Since elections last year South Sudan’s path towards independence has been marred by numerous defections from within the SPLA. Many analysts believe the post independence south Sudan may be ungovernable. Bishop Garang thinks otherwise.

“Our people need reconciliation and the church” he said advocating that young people are given activities and work to occupy themselves to help prevent cattle raiding and other crimes.

“[The church] has to work together with government to make South Sudan a better place,” said Bishop Garang.

He believes that South Sudan will be prosperous after independence and not defined by allegations of corruption and tribalism.

“If God say [that south Sudan will fail] then I will agree. But if human being says we will not. No. We must come together… There is hope since we have got independence,” he said.

Bishop Garang said that the militias currently operating in South Sudan would change and that they should not be feared. He accused politicians of dividing people to maintain their positions in government.

BISHOPS ARRIVE IN BOR

A team of South Sudan Bishops have arrived in Bor to attend the inauguration and consecration celebration of the newly elected Bor Dioceses Bishop, Ruben Akur Ngong, scheduled Sunday 12 May.

Among the Bishops who are visiting Bor are Archbishop of Sudan Daniel Garang Bul, Bishop of Rajaf dioceses Enok Tombe, Bishop of Torik Dioceses Benela Oringa, Bishop of Twic East Dioceses Ezekiel Diing Ajang and Chancellor of Episcopal Churches of Sudan Majok Mading Majok among others.

Christian youth gave the team a warm welcome to Bor after a long wait for their arrival at Pariak, 40 miles south of Bor along the Bor-Juba road near the border of Jonglei and Central Equatoria states.

The caretaker Bishop in Bor who is the Bishop of Torit Dioceses, Benela Oringa said the he is happy with his team to have come and give a proper hand over to the newly elected Bor Bishop, Ruben Akur Ngong.

Following the elections held in Juba on Saturday, May 14, Ruben Akur Ngong emerged as the Bishop of Bor dioceses beating his opponent Nathanial Bol Nyok.

The new Bishop will be sworn in On Sunday 12, June.

Rev. Akur was nominated in April this year in Bor with Nathanial Bol to contest for the post in the presence of Chancellor of Episcopal Churches of Sudan (ECS), Majok Mading Majok, who is also the legal expert in the office of the South Sudan President.

The post in Bor became available after the retirement of the former Bishop, Nathanial Garang Anyieth in March.

(ST)