WCC NEWS: WCC gravely concerned by ongoing insecurity and violence in South Sudan, calls for full implementation of peace accords

World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca welcomed the announcement of the dissolution of parliament in South Sudan, to pave the way for the appointment of lawmakers from formerly warring parties in the country. This is an important step in the long-awaited and repeatedly delayed implementation of the peace accords between president Salva Kiir and vice president Riek Machar. “I pray that there will be no further delays in this process,” said Sauca, “and that the full implementation of the accords will finally ensure peace and good governance for the suffering people of South Sudan.”   Photo: Peter Williams/WCC 12 May 2021 The WCC, however, expressed grave concern over the continuing fragility of the security situation in South Sudan. “As an example, WCC was shocked by the violence recently perpetrated against the bishop-elect of the Catholic diocese of Rumbek in South Sudan, Msgr. Christian Carlassare,” said Sauca. On 25 April, unknown armed men attacked, shot and seriously wounded the bishop-elect at his residence in Rumbek, South Sudan. Carlassare was evacuated to Nairobi for medical attention. “We thank God that he is recovering well from his wounds,” said Sauca. “This attack follows many other violent incidents that have taken place while the implementation of peace agreements in South Sudan has remained bogged down in political wrangling.” “The WCC condemns in the strongest terms the attack against the bishop-elect and calls on the South Sudanese authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to account,” Sauca continued. “The government must do everything possible to deliver on its commitments and responsibility for the protection of the lives and properties of its people, and to ensure a just and secure peace in South Sudan, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic time.” Sauca also prayed for God’s divine healing and the full recovery of Carlassare. “And we pray for more commitment and effective political leadership for peace, security and justice in South Sudan,” he added. WCC member churches in South Sudan See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland