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Pope Francis signs an ecumenical Christmas message to the political leaders of South Sudan, urging them to take further steps on the path of peace and service to the nation.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis has once again sent Christmas greetings to the political leaders of South Sudan this year.
As with last year’s message, the Pope was joined by Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Rev. Martin Fair, in signing the Christmas message.
Servants of all
The three begin their greeting by remembering the humble earthly beginnings of the Son of God.
“This Christmas season, we remember that our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world among the smallest, in a dusty barn with animals,” they write. “Later, he called those who wish to be great in his kingdom to be servants of all.”
At their historic meeting at the Vatican in April 2019, Pope Francis offered South Sudan’s leaders a concrete example of humble service, when he knelt to kiss their feet.
Petition to speed up the peace process
Referring to that meeting in his message, the Pope with other Christian leaders urged the politicians of the African nation to remember their commitments to “lead their country to a smooth implementation of the Peace Agreement.
They also recalled his promise to “visit South Sudan in due course, when things get back to normal.”
“We are glad to see the little progress you have made, but know that it is not enough for your people to feel the full effect of peace,” they warn.
Greater confidence, generosity
Pope Francis, Archbishop Welby and Reverend Fair reiterated their desire to visit the country to “bear witness to a changed nation, governed by leaders who … ‘shake hands, united … as mere citizens’ for’ become Fathers (and Mothers) of the NATION. ‘”
They concluded their Christmas greetings by praying that the political leaders of South Sudan could “know a greater trust between you and a greater generosity of service to your people.”
“We pray that they will know the peace that passes understanding in their own hearts and in the heart of their great nation.”
Long-term conflict
South Sudan entered a civil war shortly after gaining independence from Sudan, which occurred in July 2011.
The conflict lasted from 2013 to September 2018 and pitted the forces of President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, against those of his vice-president, Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer.
More than 400,000 people died in the civil war, another 250,000 fled their homes and around half of the population of 11 million were left in extreme poverty.
In September 2018, the peace process was restarted with the Revitalized Agreement for Conflict Resolution in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
However, the situation remains difficult. The UN chief of mission, David Shearer, recently informed the UN Security Council that the peace agreement is not being implemented as it should. He said the violence still affects much of the nation.
