Pope declares day of fasting for S. Sudan, DRC
February 22, 2018 (ROME) – Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has declared February 23 a day of fasting and prayer for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
The Pope has also invited non-Catholic faithful to play a part in the search for peace in the two countries and around the world.
The Head of the global Anglican Church, Justin Welby has also reiterated the Pope’s message, calling for peace in the two nations.
“On my visits to both countries in recent years, it’s been impossible to describe the overwhelming scale of destruction. These conflicts are causing terrible loss of life. Huge numbers of people have been forced to flee their homes, which is tearing apart families and communities,” said Welby in a statement.
“There are more than a million new internally displaced people. Famine is causing great suffering and danger. In South Sudan, up to 6 million people face starvation. Sexual violence and humiliation are being committed on the most atrocious scale in both countries,” it adds.
During his visit to South Sudan and the DRC, Welby said he met and held talks with political leaders and heard tales of people suffering.
“I visited a refugee camp in Uganda filled with South Sudanese children whose families had fled their homes to escape death,” he said.
The conflict in South Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than two million into neighbouring nations, while in the DRC hinges on President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to leave power, despite calls from the opposition and human rights activists.
(ST)