Appeal for prayers for peace in South Sudan

Lillian Omari and Fr Angel Valdivia from the Missionary Community of St Paul the Apostle (MCSPA) in the remote Turkana region of northwest Kenya and southwest Ethiopia write: "We would like to ask you to join us every day to earnestly pray for peace in South Sudan and more so that our mission of Ave Maria is protected from all the fighting going around its mission territory.

"Yesterday the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission coordination office in Ezo County of Western Equatoria state registered 23,550 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) from Tombura due to the ongoing violence in Tombura County.

"The majority of the IDPs are women and children who are in need of humanitarian support. All men who were trying to flee the fighting have been captured and forced to fight, sometimes even against their own people.

"As of Tuesday, at least 11 people were reported killed, including the former Commissioner of Tombura County Hon. Babiro Charles Gbamisi.

"Things are very difficult and tense, and many children are affected and are in need of food and shelter. Let us join our hands to support them with prayer and in kind.

Thank you!!!"

Earlier they wrote:

"Recent violence has affected many people in the area of Tombura, where MCSPA members are running Ave Maria Parish.

A peace convoy lead by Bishop Eduardo Hiboro from the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, and other bishops and priests from other denominations, came to visit the victims of this unjustified and abrupt mayhem.

Let us direct our prayers for the victims, especially to the people who have lost parents, children, siblings, and property. Above all let us pray that peace may prevail and leaders stop this.."

Fr Angel Valdivia has been an MCSPA missionary in Turkana (Kenya) from 2003 to 2013, and from 2014 to date he has been starting a mission in Nyangatom (south-west Ethiopia).

The work of the Missionary Community of St Paul the Apostle is supported by New Ways, a UK-based charity run entirely by volunteers. If you would like to make a donation to support their projects, please visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/feedchildrenofturkana2021