The Archdiocese of Juba has organized the Prayer for Peace which has started from the 7th to the 16th of this month.
“With all these, we are not defeated by war, death, and any misbehavior. Let us continue asking ourselves, where is your brother and where is your sister in the city of Juba and the country at large? Through these pains, we are not heading for death but for better life, for better peace and for better honesty of this country. For Jesus said He is the Way the Truth and the Life,” he said adding that “If there is anyone among us who still want to fight, to kill and to rob, that person is defeated"- the people gathered yelled and clapped for him. “Hope and victory in Christ is what Life is all about,” he said.
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| Most Rev Paolino Lukudu |
Information received from South Sudan said the prayer started with adoration in the parishes and then with a march to the Cathedral for the Holy Mass. The faithful congregated at Assumption Chapel, and had a 10-15 minutes walk to the Cathedral.
His Grace Paolino Lukudu Loro started the liturgy by calling a young boy of 11 years old who is in primary four of why people where there. The boy answered "because people were praying for peace", His Grace asked but "why peace", the boy said "because there was a lot of death in the city of Juba".
“There is a lot of death, that is why we are here, praying for peace" His Grace said. He was moved with tears and the crowd too. “Tears because there is no peace in this Country. We need peace because people are dying even the children understand this,” His Grace emphasized.
“As there is no peace, we want pardon from God. There is no peace because we are sinners, because there is no one who is good. We are (Church leaders, Government leaders and Christians) a part of why there is no peace in the city of Juba and in the whole country. There is no peace because all of us are sinners,” he said.
The biblical passage was read from Genesis 4:8-10 (Cain killed his brother Abel). The Archbishop gave a short reflection on this Scripture, emphasizing the Brotherhood and the Sisterhood in Christ. “We are not truthful to ourselves. What is happening among us, is it of people of one country? Where is your brother that you killed? I am hearing his blood crying from the ground,” he asked.
“With all these, we are not defeated by war, death, and any misbehavior. Let us continue asking ourselves, where is your brother and where is your sister in the city of Juba and the country at large? Through these pains, we are not heading for death but for better life, for better peace and for better honesty of this country. For Jesus said He is the Way the Truth and the Life,” he said adding that “If there is anyone among us who still want to fight, to kill and to rob, that person is defeated"- the people gathered yelled and clapped for him. “Hope and victory in Christ is what Life is all about,” he said.
During that Prayer the South Sudanese flag was adjacent to the altar. There were ten people for the Prayer of the faithful representing the ten South Sudan States. They prayed for the people of that state, its resources and the peace that could reign in that land. After the Prayer of the faithful, these representatives went to hold the South Sudan flag. After the Prayer of the faithful the audience sung the South Sudan National Anthem, while the representatives were holding together the flag.
Present was also attended by the US Ambassador to South Sudan, Her Excellency, Susan Page, and Fr. Mark Lotede, Presidential Adviser on Religious Affairs; 48 Priests and two Bishops: His Grace Paolino Lukudu and His Auxiliary His Lordship Santo Loku.
SOURCE: Fr. Jacob Odwa Paul, Secretary General-SCBC
