Sudan Embassy site of protest for American church

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2004 (Chicago Tribune) — More than 100 Episcopalians marched on the Sudanese Embassy in protest last week after the Muslim government seized the headquarters of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.

The Sudanese church said that government police entered the Episcopal offices in Khartoum last month and evicted church workers. The staff took refuge in the Khartoum cathedral, according to Episcopal News Service.

“I believe we were heard and that our presence will make a difference to our Sudanese sisters and brothers,” said Virginia Assistant Bishop Francis Campbell Gray, march leader.

Embassy officials denied the seizure was motivated by religion or politics, saying the action arose from an ownership dispute and police had a court order to conduct the eviction.

The property seizure is the latest conflict between the Sudanese government and the Episcopal Church there. Sudan has confiscated the old Khartoum Cathedral and has tried to demolish church-run schools and seize other offices, American church officials said.