SOUTH SUDAN - MASSACRE OF INNOCENTS

 

South Sudan: 

The strong condemnation of the Bishops following massacre in Jonglei State

Members of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference (SSSCBC) have strongly condemned what some UN agencies have described as yet another massacre of innocent civilians in South Sudan’s Jonglei State

Paul Samasumo – Vatican City

“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, these heinous and senseless killings. There can be no justification whatsoever for the murder of innocent civilians. Such acts are an offence against God, the Author of Life, and a grave sin against humanity. We stand in unwavering solidarity with our suffering people in Ayod and Abiemnhom, who have once again been plunged into mourning, fear, and displacement,” the Bishops said.

According Church sources in the region, at least 169 people were killed in what has been described as “intercommunal violence that is politically motivated.” The number of those who have died is expected to rise among those with serious injuries. Vatican News has learned that most of the people in Abiemnhom have been evacuated to the town of Abyei.

Revenge is not justice

The Bishops’ Statement released to the media on Tuesday, 4 March, is signed by all members of the Bishops’ Conference. The prelates say they are profoundly appalled and saddened by the deeply alarming and “persistent cruelty of violence.”

“We have received distressing reports of the brutal targeting and killing of innocent civilians in Ayod County of Jonglei State and Abiemnhom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area. These acts represent not only a tragic loss of life but a fresh descent into the abyss of human depravity, where the sanctity of life, a sacred gift from God, is trampled upon with alarming impunity.”

The Bishops add, “The culture of deadly revenge has taken deep root in parts of our society. Cycles of retaliation, fuelled by anger, collective blame, and historical grievances, continue to destroy families, weaken communities, and rob our children of their future. Revenge is not justice. Collective punishment is not strength. Blood for blood is not dignity. This mentality must end,” affirm the Bishops.

Appeal to South Sudan’s leaders

The violence comes amid growing political instability in South Sudan. Clashes between the South Sudan People's Defence Force (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA-IO) in parts of Jonglei have sadly become frequent.

“To the transitional governments at all levels, we address a fervent and urgent appeal: You are the custodians of the common good, entrusted with the sacred duty to protect life. We call upon you to act immediately, decisively, and transparently,” the Bishops’ Statement reads.

In the particular cases of the recent killings in Ayod and Abiemnhom, the Bishops have called for a thorough and independent investigation that should lead to the identification and prosecution of perpetrators.

US - BISHOP CONDEMN ATTCK ON CAPITOL - en - fr - es - it

US Catholic bishops unanimously condemn the violence that engulfed the United States Capitol, which left four people dead and many injured.

By Vatican News staff writer

"I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol," said the President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in a statement, following violence that engulfed the US Capitol on Wednesday in which four people died.

"This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety," he continued.

 Pro-democracy voices across the board decry violence at US Capitol

Archbishop José Gomez’ statement came after the chaos that ensued after hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday in a bid to overturn his election defeat. Protesters battled police in the hallways and delayed the certification of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's victory for hours.

Police said four people died during the chaos - one from gunshot wounds and three from medical emergencies - and 52 people were arrested.

Appeal to come together as one nation under God

Archbishop Gomez went on to note that the peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. “In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God.”

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, also issued a statement following the protests, in which he described the United States Capitol as “sacred ground and a place where people over the past centuries have rightly demonstrated, representing a wide variety of opinions.”

“We Americans should honor the place where our nation’s laws and policies are debated and decided," he continued. "We should feel violated when the legacy of freedom enshrined in that building is disrespected and desecrated.”

The Cardinal said he is praying for the safety of “elected officials, staffers, workers, protestors, law enforcement personnel, and neighbours to the United States Capitol.”

Prayers for peace

He asked all men and women of goodwill to pause and pray for peace in this critical moment, and urged citizens to change the divisive tone that has recently dominated political conversations.

“Those who resort to inflammatory rhetoric must accept some responsibility for inciting the increasing violence in our nation,” he said, reminding believers that they are called to “acknowledge the human dignity of those with whom we disagree and seek to work with them to ensure the common good for all.”

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago also called on Catholics and on all men and women of goodwill to pray for peace “at this bracing moment in US history, a history that has been marked by one of democracy’s greatest virtues: the peaceful and orderly transition of power.”

A time of national disgrace

In a series of tweets, Cardinal Cupich said, “What has been unfolding at the Capitol today should shock the conscience of any patriotic American and any faithful Catholic.”

“The eyes of the world look on in horror as we suffer this national disgrace,” he tweeted.

He noted that for many months Americans have witnessed “the deliberate erosion of the norms of our system of government” and described peaceful protest is a sacred right, an essential component of social progress over the course of human history.

Cardinal Cupich continued: “Violence is its opposite. Violence in the service of falsehood is worse: Please join me in praying for the woman who was shot during the rioting, and who has died, and for law enforcement who protect us against mob rule.”

4 deaths and multiple injuries

The woman who died after being shot is reportedly yet to be identified. More information on the shooting was not immediately available, and a police spokesperson said three other people died from medical emergencies during the riot.

Multiple officers were injured with at least one transported to hospital.

 

Les évêques américains condamnent l’assaut contre le Congrès

Obispos de EE.UU. condenan el asalto al Congreso y piden una transición pacífica

USA: Bischöfe verurteilen Angriff auf Kongress

Stati Uniti, reazioni della Chiesa americana sull'assalto al Congresso

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