Cardinal Parolin arrives in South Sudan to support peace process

Arrival in Juba. Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has begun a four-day visit to South Sudan to show the Church's solidarity with the disaster-struck region of Malakal and to reaffirm the nation's efforts toward peace.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, arrived in Juba this morning. (Monday). He has spent the last few days in Angola, where he presided over the episcopal ordination of Archbishop Penemote. After a day in Juba he will spend two days in the Diocese of Malakal, and then Thursday in Rumbek.

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, archbishop of Juba, spoke about the goals of the Cardinal Secretary of State's visit to South Sudan in an interview with local media which was streamed on Facebook by Radio Bakhita, the Catholic radio station of the Archdiocese of Juba.

Archbishop Ameyu said the main purpose of Cardinal Parolin's time in South Sudan is to visit the Diocese of Malakal, since he was invited by Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok in order to see the situation there for himself.

"All of us are familiar with the situation in Malakal: the question of natural disasters, flooding and many other things, along with man-made disasters," said the Archbishop. "But there is now also a window of opportunity for peace."

Archbishop Ameyu added that Cardinal Parolin is following up on the task to work toward peace which Pope Francis entrusted to the Church and political leaders in South Sudan.

He noted that this is Cardinal Parolin's second solo visit to South Sudan, calling it an expression of the Pope's love for the people there.

Pope Francis visited the country in February 2023 following extensive efforts on the part of the Church to seek peace among the rival factions.

The Archbishop of Juba recalled the Pope's invitation for the government and people of South Sudan to work together.

"He repeated this word-"together, together, together"-three times, because togetherness means unity," said Archbishop Ameyu, "Togetherness means we are able to experience peace among ourselves."

Regarding the ongoing peace process, Archbishop Ameyu said the Church constantly seeks to encourage everyone to stick to the protocols of the peace agreement and invite politicians to embed peace in the fabric of the country's society.

"We let people know that we play a lot of roles in order to realize peace and reconciliation among our people," he said. "We do not shout like prophets of doom. We would like to engage in quiet diplomacy."

Archbishop Ameyu acknowledged that elections are due to take place before the end of 2024, and noted that elections are "one of the components of the revitalized peace agreement."

"I know elections would really give us also a strong push, a strong stand when leaders are elected by the people and for the people," he said.

Today he met first with Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, archbishop emeritus of Khartoum, at the Apostolic Nunciature in Juba, and then inaugurates a memorial plaque recalling Pope Francis' sojourn at the Nunciature, on 3-5 February 2023, during his Apostolic Journey to South Sudan.

In the afternoon, Cardinal Parolin met separately with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Riek Machar, and Archbishop Stephen Ameyu.

On Tuesday, the Cardinal departs for Malakal where he celebrates Mass in the cathedral and meets with various government officials, as well as visiting a reception centre for refugees returning from Sudan.

On Wednesday, Cardinal Parolin celebrates Mass at the Bishop's residence in Malakal, visits the St Charles Lwanga School and Minor Seminary, and meets with the communities of the Upper Nile Traditional chiefs. In the afternoon, he holds an encounter with authorities and staff of UNMISS, the United Nation's peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, and later meets with priests, religious men and women, and seminarians of the Diocese of Malakal.

On Thursday, the Cardinal Secretary of State travels to Rumbek where he will celebrate Mass for Peace and Reconciliation.

Cardinal Parolin ended a three-day visit to Angola on Sunday, where he had traveled to celebrate the Episcopal Ordination of Angolan-born Archbishop Germano Penemote, whom Pope Francis has appointed as his Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan.

The Cardinal celebrated Mass in Luanda on Sunday, and thanked Angola's political and Church leaders for their warm welcome.

In his homily, Cardinal Parolin praised the Church in Angola as a "bearer of a rich spiritual tradition, which has nourished her in times of trial".

He encouraged Angolan Christians to seek to overcome all fear and build authentic bonds, even amid difficulties and disappointments.

"Only by finding God," said Cardinal Parolin, "will your life be full and your horizon embrace eternity."