DARFUR REBELS GATHER FOR PEACE NEGOTITION PROCESS

SUDAN: Darfur rebels gather for talks, key figures yet to arrive
DAR ES SALAAM, 3 August 2007 - Leaders of rebel groups from western Sudan arrived in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha on 3 August, ahead of talks aimed at securing common ground for fresh negotiations on Darfur with the Sudanese government, an official said. However, concerns remained that one of the leaders, Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur, of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), would not attend the talks. The group is influential in the crisis. It was also unclear if Suleiman Jamous, another important leader from Darfur, would be at the meeting as he has been in a hospital in Kordofan for 13 months, and the government said he would be arrested should he try to leave. "Several diplomats, representatives of rebels, media personnel and other stakeholders started arriving yesterday [August 2] and today [August 3]. We hope the consultations will formally be opened at 5.00pm," an official with the Tanzanian foreign affairs ministry told IRIN from Arusha. The three-day meeting has been organised jointly by the African Union and the UN. Analysts believe the meeting, if successful, could give the proposed hybrid AU-UN mission an opportunity to revisit the problems the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) has encountered. "The DPA has been part of the problem because most people in Darfur have not bought into it," Miriam Jooma of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria said. The key question ahead of the talks, she added, is who represents Darfur? "There has to be engagement with all smaller groups," Jooma said. "Essentially Arusha should bring together enough sensibilities to reach some understanding, especially on the contentious issues of security, power sharing and compensation." Briefing journalists in Dar es Salaam earlier this week, Salim Ahmed Salim, the AU special envoy to Darfur, said the meeting hoped to unite dozens of rebel groups and facilitate a way forward for talks with the government in Khartoum. "It is difficult for the groups to negotiate without having clear ideas of what is at stake. At present every group has its own interests," Salim said. He appealed to all rebel groups to attend the talks. Last year a faction of the SLM/A led by Minni Minawi signed a peace deal with the government. However, the Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur faction and the Justice and Equality Movement - headed by Khalil Ibrahim - refused to sign the AU-mediated deal. After the deal, Minnawi was appointed special assistant to President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, but aid workers say his forces have continued to attack civilians and peacekeepers. The others split into about 13

Bidding Farewell to Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI...

It ws hard to bid farewell to Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI who has become a near permanent "fixture" at the SCBRC Office. His smile and greetings as he walked in the Office every morning were the new wind that pervaded the office in the three months he spent with us.

The most appreciated contribution that Fr. Jun gave the SCBRC Office was his "accompaniment" of the Secretary General - Fr. Anthont Bangoye. Fr. Jun's stint in the office was a veritable partnership that was enhancing and empowering the potentials of both Fr. Anthony and the SCBRC personnel.

During his early stay with us, he accompanied the young Atty. Julius Ojok and Ms. Dina Kemunto of the Justice and Peace Department. Together they managed the J & P Training of Trainers Workshop in Rumbek, South Sudan. His specialty in peacemaking and Social Reconstruction were very much appreciated by the JP Coordinators form the 6 Dioceses of the South Sudan. During the said workshop, he also introduced his "healing" and energizing exercises to the delegates.

On the second month, he conducted an Effective Financial Management for key personnel in the Finance and Administration Departments with the participation of the Administration of the Diocese of Torit.

The last month of his stay was work spent for the Communications Department. He designed and launch three virtual platforms for the SCBRC: The Web Site at http://scbrc.net, the blogspot for the immediate press rleases of SCBRC at http://scbrc-secretariate.blogspot.com and the interactive forum on issues affecting the Sudan. he also trained the key staff for each department to manage and run the three virtual paltforms for the SCBRC.

We bid him farewell... wishing that he will soon be back to help SCBRC to re-locate itself in Juba.

SOA Workshop Participants

SOA Evaluation Workshop

Nairobi, 18 May 2007. The Development Department of the SCBRC called for the evaluation of the SOA(Special Operation Appeal) Program in Sudan. The SOA is program meant to assist the dioceses in ministering to the internally displaced persons (IDP) who are returning home following the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

The Donors and the SCBRC called for workshop to evaluation the program. There is the urgent need to find out whether the program has achieved its objectives. The workshop provides effective information to the donors and the recipient dioceses, as well, on the progress of the program.

The participants representing the dioceses of Sudan came to Nairobi and actively participated in the said evaluation workshop. During the workshop the SOA external assessor presented the complete assessment report on the SOA activities.

The workshop is called to identify the steps forward for an effective implementation of the SOA program. It also aims to ensure effective collaboration between SCBRC, SCBC and local dioceses. Fr. Anthony SCBRC secretary general opened the workshop with prayer and inspirational talk. In his opening speech he thanked the participants and emphasized the need for the stakeholders to face the challenges in implementing the program.

For further information please contact the Development Department that manages the SOA Activities of the SCBRC at ikalur@scbrc.org)

(Alexander Musyoki – Communication Department)

Special Appeal for your GENEROUS ASSISTANCE...

Dear friends & benefactors,

Greetings to you all wherever you may be, hoping that your weather conditions around your cities and continents are treating you well.

I am pleased to inform you that, after Eng. Charles Kisanga who and his family made their generous contribution of USD 200.00 towards the building of the New Cathedral in Yambio (Christ the King) and followed by Mr. John Dabi, former Minister of Finance of WES USD 100. Ms Mary V. Aurpai, has made her generous contribution of USD 100.00 for the above-mentioned purpose.

The Church appreciates very much of all those who have made their contributions and their names are already enrolled into the register of the contributors.
You have heard that the New Cathedral is estimated to be built at the cost of half-million US dollars. and at the moment, the Holy See has donated USD 200,000.00 and plus the contributions received amounts to USD 204,000.00 only.

The rest of the money is to be raised locally, and you can imagine the anxiousness of the Christian Community of WES who have been praying under trees for years. The door is still open for you to do something.

On the 29/04/007 I presided over the breaking of the ground in the presence of hundreds of Christians, priests, nuns and State Officials.

May the blessing of the Risen Lord be always with you...

Bishop Joseph Gasi Abangite
Bishop of Tombura/Yambio
15 May 2007

Please remit your donation directly to the Bank Account indicated below:
Account Name: SCBRC Yambio
Account Numbers: 014304-021
Bank: Citibank NA, Kenya, Nairobi
Swift Code: CITIKENA
ABA Number 021000089

SCBRC's New Receptionist...

As you enter the SCBRC Office, the first person that you will meet is Christine Kanyua Mbiti or Christine for short. She is a new addition to the office vice Sabina Akeck who has moved back to South Sudan.

Christine is a smiling and friendly face that will greet you on you visit to the SCBRC Office.
She is an experienced secretary by profession and good in computer operations. She is self-motivated, goal driven, and abile to work under minimum supervision and pressure within time constraints. Her very endearing quality is her being a very good team player.

If you are interested to know her more, her hobbies are singing, reading novels, traveling and playing badminton.

Introducing the new SCBRC Communications Officer-in-Charge

Alexander Musyoki is a graduate of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa(Langata Campus) in Nairobi. His specialization is sociology (major) and political science (minor).

His interest is to pursue masters in gender studies in order to have the required skills to ensure effective advocacy for women. This interest was shaped by the environment where he was brought up. "I was born and brought up within the context of the Akamba tradition where women were viewed as subjects".

The inequalities surrounding women in his village has shaped his strong commitment to gender equality. His dream is to ensure women empowerment through advocacy. This will be achieved through upgrading his research paper which is entitled “Socio-cultural and Economic factors that leads to persistence of poverty among the female headed-household’s: A Case Study of Katangi division in Machakos district” into a book.

"My intention as a graduate of Catholic University is to help the Catholic Church within the AMECEA region to empower women. I am interested to work with Catholic Church organization, because of the Missio scholarship that has enabled me to finish my studies."

"I am a devoted Catholic and will always remain a commited Catholic to set an example to others."

Education for Life

The Catholic Educators in South Sudan gathered in Tombura/Yambio Diocese under the auspices of the SCBRC to see their roles in the re-construction of South Sudan post the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. The Seminar-Workshop is called Education for life.

CEAS/CHAS Mid-term Review...

Juba, April 2007. The objective of the mid-term review was to asses the progress made in the programmatic development of Christian Health Association – Sudan as outlined in the strategic plan of 2006 – 2008. The review team was made up of Dr. Ankie van den Brook (IC Consultants – Netherlands), Dr. Jochen Bitzer(Difaem – Germany), Benson Oduor (PENSIL), Dr. Nathan Atem (Ministry of Health - GOSS) and Dr. Stephen Kuol (Ministry of Health - GOSS).

The process involved reading documents from the CHAS secretariat, namely, workshop reports, strategic plans, Technical Assistance reports among others. This was followed by a historical overview of the formation of CHAS and its vision, mission and objectives. The evaluation methodology involved data analysis of questionnaires sent by e-mail, one-on-one interviews with stakeholders, visits to the Ministry of Health head quarters, and rural health centres in Bor and Rumbek. At the end of the process there was a debriefing session. This gave an opportunity for the team to share with some stakeholders some of the findings and recommendations.

During the evaluation process several issues of interest to PENSIL arose, and these will be incorporated in the development of PENSIL. The working of the Government of South Sudan was also explained and the government’s relationship with the NGO sector in nation-building clarified. In addition, contact was made with people who could ber useful in furthering the interests of the church in education and PENSIL. We can only conclude that this was a useful experience to learn from another young organization, besides showing solidarity with other stakeholders with a similar objective of uplifting the living standards of the people of south Sudan.

Benson Oduor
PENSIL Coordinator

PENSIL Bi-Monthly Meeting Held On 27th April 2007
The PENSIL coordinating committee held its bi-monthly meeting on the 27th April 2007 at the CEAS Boardroom – Emerald House along Ngong’ Road, Nairobi. This was also the first meeting for the incoming coordinator. The meeting discussed means of revitalizing PENSIL and getting members back since a coordinator had already started work.

The relation between PENSIL and other church organs e.g. SCBRC was clarified: these are not in competition but are collaborators. Matters of education policy and curriculum, resource mobilization and visibility of PENSIL as well as increased collaboration with the Diocesan Education Coordinators were also discussed.

The meeting also bade farewell to Sr. Roxanne who is taking up a new posting in Rome.

NB
Kindly share with us your thoughts on how to improve the quality of secondary education is south Sudan. Our e-mail is: pensil@scbrc.org

USSP's Letter of Support...

His Grace Paulino Lukudu Loro
President of Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference,
Archdiocese of Juba
South Sudan

02/05/2007

Re: Letter of Appreciation and Support

Your Grace,

On behalf of the United South Sudan Party (USSP), I am writing to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for your outstanding article published in Sudan Tribune dated April 26, 2007.

In that article, your call for southern political elites to stand up in defence of people’s aspiration for separation of South Sudan is fully justified. We are very encouraged and pleased that USSP’s call for South Sudan’s separation is shared by your honourable office.

We would like to assure your grace that our party (USSP) stands for total independence of south Sudan. We believe that the people of south Sudan who have suffered for so long cannot but feel humbled by the articulation of their aspirations for a free and independent homeland where human dignity, equality, development and the rule of law are observed and applied by government in respect of its every action.

In a country such as South Sudan which has experienced nothing else but conflict, hatred and violence for more than 150 years, it is more necessary for the people of South Sudan to be united now than at any other time, and to have faith in human destiny. For this reason our support of the CPA is unequivocal. USSP is committed to the unity of all South Sudanese people for the purpose of our common goal (independence of South Sudan)


USSP believe that anything less than total independence of South Sudan will not ensure sustainable peace for the people of South Sudan

Your Grace, it will be a grave omission on our part if we fail to mention your strong support for the struggle of the people of South Sudan even during the darker days in the history of our country. We commend your courageous stand and would like to assure you that USSP will do everything in its power to address the needs of our people through peaceful democratic means.

Yours sincerely

Clement J. Mbugoniwia
Party Leader

=========================
BERGKULLEVÄGEN 255
SE- 461 66 TROLLHÄTTAN
SWEDEN
TEL/FAX: +46 520 13081
MOB: +46 704 408981

Sudan Church Provides Leadership...

Wednesday 2 May 2007 05:29.

Archbishop Paulino Lokudu Loro: Sudan Church Provides Leadership

By Steve Paterno

May 1, 2007 — The Catholic Archbishop of diocese of Juba, Paulino Lokudu Loro, has last week set the tone for political debate in South Sudan proving the vital leadership role the Church always plays in liberation struggle for the masses of South Sudan—the role that always significantly impact the population but often times not credited to the Church. Archbishop Paulino Lokudu Loro, is one of the Church leaders who has always stood on the side of the masses whether it is in time of despair or happiness. The turbulence of civil war in Sudan which killed more than two million people and created unbearable misery witnessed the courage, persistence, and leadership of Archbishop Loro as he plighted with the masses throughout the
suffering.

In this period of relative peace brought about as a result of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Archbishop Loro once again stepped up to the occasion as he fires on the imagination of the people of South Sudan by calling and supporting on political leadership that champions the aspiration of the people of South Sudan for self-determination, which will eventually set the people of South Sudan free. The Archbishop goes on calling for unity of purpose for the people of South Sudan, something that is desperately lacking at this period in time. It is an obvious fact that the current South Sudanese political leadership completely ignores the aspiration of the people of South Sudan for independence. The leadership is hooked in the slogan of giving Unity of Sudan a chance, the unity that is responsible for marginalization of the people of South Sudan for all this time, without providing a platform for self-determination. The Separatists within the leadership are either suppressed, marginalized or don't even exist.

As a Catholic Archbishop, Loro's wields significant power probably more than the current South Sudanese president who seems to be out of touch with the masses and their aspirations. Archbishop Loro leadership influence surpasses the regular denominational role, which always dominates Christian Churches throughout the world. Besides attending to his flock of Catholics, Archbishop Loro has been a uniting force for the Churches in Sudan . In many occasions, he acts as co-chairman or the patron of inter-denomination Churches that work for the general good of the population, and whenever necessary, he always offers his leadership and advice to different Church denominations. Leaders of other Churches spoke favorably about him and admire his leadership role.

There is no better time to measure the vital leadership role the church plays in liberating the masses of South Sudan than when the quality of leadership among South Sudanese politicians is virtually diminished by leadership rivalries, rampant corruption, tribalism/nepotism, incompetence, and lack of vision for people of South Sudan. In the absence of quality leadership, the Church always fills in the gap.

Throughout the history of Sudan , the Church has played vital role in shaping the societies of Sudan as well as liberating the marginalized societies from the shackles of dictatorial regimes in Khartoum . Whether it is providing essential and basic services such as education, health, shelter, clothing, food or offering guidance and leadership, or even sacrificing in form of lives, the Church has
always been in the forefront.

To this day, the Church remains a leading force of education for significant population of Sudan. Matter of fact, the Church established good reputation in education field by running the highly standardized institutions of learning throughout the country. Ironically, the North of Sudan, which is hostile to the Church, is the number one beneficiary of the best school systems established by the Church. The products of those best schools in the North are none other than the ruling elites in Khartoum who always turn out to be the very people who persecute the Church and the marginalized people of Sudan after acquiring solid educational foundation in schools established by Church. They act as if giving back in return means vengeance.

From earlier on, the regime in Khartoum realized the important role of the Church, especially in the area of education. In 1964, the dictator, General Ibrahim Aboud decreed a Missionary Act, which resulted in the expulsion of missionaries and halting of missionary activities in Sudan. For dictator, Aboud, the missionaries' activities were responsible for the separatism attitude harbored by majority of Southern Sudanese. An attempt was made to nationalize the Church such as the way it is in China so as to suppress the influence of the Church, however, such an attempt failed as the Church could not compromise a bit on its ideals.

Despite efforts by the regime in Khartoum to abolish the Church and its activities, the Church remains steadfast and instrumental as shown by Cardinal Zubeir Wako 's leadership during the liberation struggle. The terminology, "liberation theology" which is commonly associated with liberation struggle in Latin America may as well have its origin in Sudan considering historical involvement of the Church in liberation activities there. It was not by accident that the first ever liberation struggle in Sudan was led by a priest, the Reverend Fr. Saturnino Ohure.

In the subsequent years that follow the Church continues to be a great contributor to the struggle of the people of Sudan such as the contributions of Bishop Paride Taban, Bishop Nataniel Garang and that of organizations like the New Sudan Council of Churches in SPLA/M liberated areas. The Church is able to create leaders whom their courage and love is match by none. Their quality of leadership is unprecedented that they are the ones who reach to the masses as oppose to the masses reaching out for them. In the words of Jesus Christ, "nobody has greater love than this: to give his life for his friends." However, in comparisons, one commentator remarked about some of the leaders of the Church in Sudan that they "followed their Master(Jesus) even further, by giving their life for their enemies" not just for their friends.

One such example of courage and love is exemplified by Fr. Deng Barnaba. On bidding farewell to the last missionaries who were expelled as a result of the Missionary Act, in the year 1964, Fr. Deng Barnaba said, "Father, pray for us. We shall see each other only in heaven." Knowing that life is going to be treacherous and he will not be able to meet with his fellow foreign priests anymore on this planet earth, Fr. Barnaba prophecy was proven right only a year later because he ended up being implicated by the Khartoum authorities for assisting the Anyanya movement and the order was issued to eliminate him immediately. On August 23, 1965, as he was visiting the sick in Wau town like he usually did, he met the convey of Khartoum soldiers who were looking for him all over the place as he was passing at the airport crossing just before reaching Khor Grinti. He was immediately grabbed out of his car, and before he could be savagely murdered, he asked that he prays. He put on his cassock and started praying even to his enemy who were about to murder him in a cold blood. As soon as he said, "if you wish, I am ready", then he was shot execution style right on his head and the shots followed by three more on the chest, which dropped him backward on his back. Such is a story of individuals with rare quality who are willing to sacrifice in form of their lives.

Given the historical background of the Church in the liberation struggle and the influence the Church exerts on the general population, it is high time the politicians of the South Sudan whom their activities are characterized by rivalry, corruption, tribalism/nepotism, incompetence, and lack of vision heed to the advice and guidance of the Church. Archbishop, Loro has not only spoken but set a tone that resonate very well with the general population of the South Sudanese people—the tone that will be echoed over and over and spread like the gospel among the South Sudanese people wherever they may be.

President Salva Kiir a regular church goer and hopefully a God fearing individual would have been the greatest beneficiary of the guidance and advice of the church such as the one provided by Archbishop Loro. One will presume, President Kiir attends the church on average once a week, but one wonders on how many times he addresses the masses of the South Sudan in a year, and on how many occasions President Kiir delivers on the aspiration of the people of the South Sudan for self-determination. Such questions are left for President Salva Kiir and his fellow politicians to grapple with. Whatever it may be, the Church seems to always be ready to provide leadership, especially when the politicians failed to provide any leadership.

The Church had long time came to the conclusion that the interest of the Church in South Sudan can only be safeguarded in a free society. When asked on the Church involvement in struggle of justice and freedom for the people of South Sudan , the Rev. Fr. Saturnino Ohure responded, "what is the use of baptizing babies, if in the future, it will become impossible to instruct them? Or if to get a job or employment they must become Moslems?" It is only in a free independent South Sudan that the Church beliefs that its interest can be secured, therefore, the statement of Archbishop Paulino Lokudu Loro in regards to the independence of South Sudan ought to be taken seriously by the Southern Sudanese political leadership. Otherwise, blessed are those who share, champion, and promote the aspirations of the people of
South Sudan .

* Steve Paterno is a Sudanese residing in the U.S.A., and he can be reached at stevepaterno@yahoo.com

(ST online)

Participants of the Pax Christi Regional Conference - Ethiopia

Pax Christi Regional Consultative Meeting...

Pax Christi Regional Consultative Meeting, 12-18 April 2007 – Gedera Resort Centre - Ethiopia

The meeting was part of the annual consultation meeting organized by Pax Christi International as a follow up of the one held last year in Limuru, Kenya.

The consultative meeting discussed issues in the greater horn of Africa, peace initiative within the region and the role of civil society in peace building, the following topic were discussed:

• Understanding the Ethiopian Context,
• The Eritrean-Ethiopian Conflict,
• The Road to Peace and Reconciliation in Uganda,
• Regional Perspective on Somalia, Sudan – Politics, People and the Press,
• Democracy and Human Security in Kenya,
• The Role of Civil Society in Building Peace,
• Pax Christi in the Greater Horn of Africa – structural considerations

The participants came up with an action plan for the next three years focusing on the following:

1. Good Governance and Democracy,
2. Human Security,
3. Justice, peace and reconciliation.

The participants were drawn from People for Peace in Africa, Development Services International/Hadish Tesfa Network, Kuron Peace Village, Upper Nile Peace and Development, Columnist Alsahafa Newspaper Foundation, Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat, Addis Ababa University (AAU), Research Centre for Civic and Human Rights Education(RCCHE, FAMEC, JPC – Assoc. of Sisterhoods of Kenya, Peace Tree Network, Chemchemi Ya Ukweli, Seeds of Peace Africa International and Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Regional Conferernce which was represented by the Justice and Peace Coordinator and the Bishop Chairman.

SCBC President Exhorts for South Sudan Separation...

Church leader exhorts for South Sudan separation
Friday 27 April 2007.

By Isaac Vuni

April 26, 2007 (JUBA) — The President of Sudan Catholic Bishops'
Conference, His Grace Archbishop Paulino Lokudu Loro, today said south
Sudanese must look for new leaders who cherish the aspiration of south
Sudanese for separation.

He said the current unfolding situation in southern Sudan requires
unity of purpose from all southern Sudanese especially during the time
of national census.

Speaking at the closing session of the two days workshop on Justice
and Peace at Catholic Relief Service center, the prelate said "it's
regrettable that the masses of southern Sudan are not being adequately
educated on the vital exercises of the national census that would pave
ways for proper planning and effective development of the marginalized
areas of the Sudan."

Archbishop Loro challenged southern political elites to come up in
defense of people's aspiration for separation than misleading them
with the words of New Sudan and making unity attractive to people who
have been marginalized for more than fifty years.

Meanwhile the commander of Patriotic Resistance Movement, Alfred Lado
Gore, said "it is time to call a spade a spade, adding that people
must clearly demand for their democratic right to freedom that would
lead the to separation from the north." Commander Gore further added
that unity is the most important at this particular time. He cautioned
the innocent masses at grassroots to be careful of some southern
Sudanese sons and daughter who might have been used to suppress the
people's aspiration for separation from Khartoum.

The participants observed that grievances arose among the ranks and
files of the SPLM/A in August 1991 and it let them to fragment into
more than ten tribal factions that was after the comprehensive peace
agreement reduced to six political groupings.

Yet there are still imbalances in geographical appointments in GoSS
leadership characterized with ethnic recruitment that pave ways to
tribal tensions and mal practice of corruptions in public offices,
rampant injustice inflicted on individuals and groups of people, delay
or non payments of salaries to employees and the groups of soldiers
holding arms.

The South-South dialogue, brain child of churches in April 2005 was
intended to reconcile the warring southern Sudanese factions/parties
in order to uphold the interest of the suffering and marginalized
Sudanese to air out their grievances for the shake of unity of
southern Sudan.

The National Population Census scheduled for November 9th 2007 is very
important for the distribution of political constituencies,
power-sharing, wealth-sharing and services provision to the Sudanese
people but the Khartoum government is deliberately delaying in for
their own interest.

Otherwise, without proper census, there would be no fair election that
would deliver people's aspiration and expectation.

"The present government in Khartoum is very keen on diluting the
census and election hence it dose not want to change governing rule of
election including appointment of electorate commission instead it
incorporated the SPLM in its old electorate Commission mostly
constituted in accordance with Islamic Sharia code."

Today in Southern Sudan, people link Census to taxes because Census
enlightenment to grassroots people is very poor therefore southerners
should be prepared to also get poor result.

Yet appropriate national census result would be of great effect in
planning of the coming general election and the referendum at the end
of six years interim period in year 2011. Therefore, southern Sudanese
people need to be prepared and empowered to vote responsibly "through
an urgent aggressive civic education in the ten states of southern
Sudan," the conference recommended

The workshop participants appealed to GoSS Government to respect the
constitutions and rule of laws and to embrace practice of
inclusiveness than creating divisions among Southern Sudan.

They observed that Peace building must aim at reviving a country's
economy, establishing participatory system of governance, fair
administrations of judicial, disarmament and demobilization of former
combatants who should also be social sustain fairly, psychological and
economic rehabilitation among others.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Darfur Peace Agreement and
Eastern Sudan Peace were all signed on the conference tables without
much involvement of the society. Until the entire society are fully
involved the agreements faces many challenges, remarks participants

The following are Recommendations derived from the two days workshop
organized by National Justice and Peace Commission of the catholic
Bishops conference held at Catholic Relief service premises in Juba on
national census and election:

NATIONAL CENSUS
• Government must create Stability in southern Sudan for achieving
better result of the national census in southern Sudan.
• South Sudanese churches should participate actively in Civic
education and dissemination of the CPA documents to empower grassroots
people as government is failing to reach cross section of southern
Sudanese.
• Government should ensured adequate Security for the People of South
Sudan especially during the national census campaign.
• Church committee must be formed and co-opted into existing
government census committee to monitor the problems of Census,
elections and referendum.
• LRA movement within the country must be cleared out to enable the
return of the IDPs to their home lands.
• The Church must be involved in government committee of Information
and publicity in order to ensure proper and appropriate usage of
census funds for enlightening rural People.
• The DDR process must be speed up in order to pave way for smooth
running of the November 2007census.
• All census offices in southern Sudan must be empowered and equipped
with necessary facilities.
• There is a need to have a laity or a priest to represent the Church
in the government.
• The church should now confirm the version of "Let my people choose"
New approach.

REFERENDUM RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Formulation of special committee as a mechanism to implement the
recommendations of Justice and Peace Commission workshop

2. Formation of Civil society to aggressively sensitize the entire
populace in southern Sudan on Referendum by south Sudanese

3. Enlightenment of political leaders, civil society and the grassroots
communities on the importance of conducting referendum for south
Sudanese

4. The Use of Independent media should be encouraged to focus on
activities of civil society and other opinion.

5. There should be more workshops for enlightenment of political and
civil societies.

6. South Sudanese churches should call for south-south dialogue to forge
unity of south Sudanese people

7. The church should lob for funding for establishment of independent
media and other programmes of civil society.

8. The church should advocacy/lobby to address threats facing the smooth
process of carrying out the referendum process among south Sudanese.

9. The church call on friendly countries in Africa, America, Europe and
world wide to support the cause of south Sudanese for a free and
independent country.

10. International community should be involve in monitoring referendum in
year 2011

11. South Sudan churches should use their structures for disseminating
information to cross section of Sudanese.

12. South Sudanese churches together with civil society need to prepare
new leaders for presidency of south Sudan who have clear vision for
south Sudan.

13. The church should act as a watch dog in Good governance practices in
southern Sudan

(Forward by john Ashworth)

(ST)

The Story of Sunday Gol Jal...

Rumbek, South Sudan. Sunday returned to his homeland last year as a volunteer for US AID as an information technology man. He and his folks could not believe that it is possible for a young man like him with a new future in Canada would one day end up serving his homeland in the process of reconstruction. It is a dream that Sunday has been nurturing for years that has come true.

He was a young adolescent of 12 when he left Rumbek in 1984, because of the war. He moved with his father to Khartoum as a refugee for about ten years. Then in 1993, he was admitted to Canada, his second home, as a refugee. He enrolled at the Western Ontario University in 1999 and graduated in 2004 with Political Science degree majoring in Policy Analysis.

After graduation he worked with Government in the Office of Migration as a Counselor. His life and natural sympathy for refugees make him almost tailored made for the job. But inside him, the desire to go back home with his people has always been alive. And this becomes stronger with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.

He got his break when his application as an IT volunteer for the US AID Project in Rumbek was accepted in 2006. Thus he packed his bags and went back home to Rumbek – the land of his birth.

His kinfolk welcome him with great joy and pride. He no longer works as a US AID Volunteer, because he has since then got a regular job. He now works as the Education Field Coordinator for EU sponsored satellite schools in the Lake State with base in Rumbek, the State Capital.

He is very happy that he is contributing something towards the reconstruction of his homeland. Though there are not many young Sudanese professionals who have settled in the west do come back, he is happy to note that there are some like him who does. And people who opted to stay in their new adopted country, their love and ties with South Sudan do not die. In many ways, they also help and support for the reconstruction of South Sudan through their continued assistance to their kin and kith whose need for educational and health expenses continue to grow.

Sunday is happy to be home again with his folk and his friends… and they are happy to see him back!

Remembering Ed Brady, SJ...

Fr. Ed was born on 29th July 1929, in Louisiana, USA. Until his death Fr. Ed served the Justice and Peace department of Sudan Catholic Bishops' Regional Conference in various capacities. He initiated the Justice and Peace Task Force in February 2002 and has nurtured it to a fully functioning department. First, he held the position of a coordinator of the J & P Department until 2001 when he took up the role of an advocacy officer until 2004. Since 2004, Fr. Ed has served the department as a consultant and as a member of the finance committee of SCBRC.

Before joining the SCBRC, Fr. Ed served as a member of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Sudan since 1985, first with the UNHCR in Juba as Education Coordinator to the Ugandan refugees in Equatoria province and later moved to Khartoum to work in the north under Church sponsorship with refugees from Eritrea and Ethiopia. In Khartoum, as a large number of internally displaced Sudanese were forced to flee to the north, he ministered among them and when the St. Paul's Major Seminary moved to Khartoum due to the civil war, he also ministered among the seminarians as a spiritual coordinator and lecturer, instituting the Justice and Peace Seminar and related courses in the
Theology Section.

Besides the facilitation on the establishment of the Justice and Peace department, Fr. Ed has worked on very remarkable issues. In 2001, he facilitated the Ecumenical Consultation on the Challenges of Islamic Fundamentalism and on finding authentic African Christian responses towards building a Multi-religious society in Sudan and in other African countries (Nairobi, 19-23rd February, 2001). A booklet entitled "Building a Multi-Religious Society in the Context of Islamic Fundamentalism – Challenges and Appropriate Christian Responses" was generated from the proceedings of the consultation. He facilitated several advocacy initiatives during the Sudan civil war. His last output that has been received very well is the manual 'Re-Uniting the
Family of God' to assist pastoral workers in reuniting the returnees after the signing of the CPA in January 2005.

We have lost a great man of God and a legend of our time who instilled in us the spirit of love, forgiveness, patience and hard work. His contributions will always be remembered. May he rest in Peace.

Fr. Ed will be laid to rest on 16th April 2007 at Arrupe Centre in Karen at 2.00 p.m. The body will arrive at the center at 12.00 p.m. followed by a requiem mass at 1.00 p.m. There will be viewing of the body at the Lee Funeral Home on Friday 13th April from 12.00 to 1.00 p.m. There will be daily mass at Arrupe Centre beginning at 5.00 p.m. everyday until Sunday, 15th April, 2007.

The office of the Secretary General and Department of Justice and Peace, SCBRC with deep sorrow informs it's partners and all people of good will about the death of Fr. Ed Brady S.J. on 8th April 2007 at 04.00 p.m.

SCBRC

SCBRC Personnel Celebrates Holy Wednesday...

Nairobi, April 4th, 2007. The SCBRC Personnel has celebrated the Holy Wednesday with a Eucharistic Celebration. Fr. Eliseo Mercado, OMI - temporary detailed at SCBRC for capacity building - is the main celebrant.

During the homily, he exhorts everyone to enter the celebration of the Triduum with the spirit of being aware of our weaknesses and sins, the spirit of journeying with Jesus in his passion and death for our sins, and the spirit of new life by rising with the Risen Christ.

OMI Provincial for DR Congo Visits SCBRC Office

The Rev. Fr. Macaire Manimba, OMI Provincial Superior of the DR Congo Province visited the SCBRC Office to listen to the urgent appeal for missionaries from Bishop Macram of Nuba Moutains/El Obeid.

The Nuba Mountains is one of the most difficult missions in the Sudan. For decades the Nuba people suffered the most in the more than two decades of civil war that was concluded in 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Khartoum Government and the SPLA.

Fr. Anthony Bagoye, the Secretary General of the SCBRC, explained the need for more missionaries and pastoral workers in South Sudan with particular focus on the urgent appeal of Bishop Macram.

Fr. Macaire listened to the appeal with great interest and would see the possibility of sending a mission team in the Nuba after a more thorough discussion with the local Church and his Council.

Announcing the Launching of the SCBRC Web Page...

Please take NOTE of our new SCBRC Web page at http://scbrc.net

This web page compliments our SCBRC Blogspot at http://scbrc-secretariate.blogspot.com

We thank the Oblates of Mary Immaculate for both the blogspot and the web page of the SCBRC. In particular we thank Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI, the acting SCBRC web master and Most Rev. Wilhelm Steckling, OMI Superior General for his generous gift of web domain and assistance in launching the same web page.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Bangoye
SCBRC Secretary General

30 March 2007

SOA Beneficiaries in Action...

Special Operation Appeal for the Sudan...

SOA stands for Special Operation Appeal. This was a specific emergency appeal response for assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Returnees into Sudan from neighbouring countries. The Bishops made this appeal in February, 2005, following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. The appeal is implemented in three phases.

Phase 1: initial emergency relief of household kits, food, emergency medical supplies and mobile primary health services; repair, rehabilitation and development of community water supplies.

Phase 2 – agricultural support for first planting season and emergency relief comprising of agricultural tool, local crops and vegetable seeds.

Phase 3 – Livelihood recovery and disaster cycle management.

Accomplishments:

• Fund-raising and lobbying for the support of SCBRC departments by funding partners;
• Facilitating on-the-job training of SCBRC staff;
• Training of diocesan administrators in office and project management
• Facilitating better communication between dioceses and the international partners through provision of e-mail
• Helping 19 students complete their university and college education during the 2005/2006 period
• Assisting dioceses to establish social development services offices
• Encouraging linkages between SCBRC departments

Hopes and Desires

• We wish Sudan to be a peaceful country so that development efforts can be enhanced
• That patience prevails so that careless mistakes are not made in development practices

St. Martin Congregation Celebrates Golden Jubilee in South Sudan

St. Martin congregation celebrates Golden Jubilee in South Sudan
Monday 26 March 2007 02:30.

By Isaac Vuni

March 25, 2007 (JUBA) — The Catholic Archbishop of Juba diocese, Rev.
Paulino Lokudu Loroo said Christians of southern Sudan particularly in
Juba, should thank God for the gift of St Martin de Porres, religious
congregation that has dedicated themselves in availing vocational
training and teaching of youth and women empowerment at all levels.

As we celebrate the golden jubilee, we are proud to have among us the
first southern Sudanese St. Martin de Porres religious Brother who
hails from Kapoeta Noth County of eastern Equatoria state, Rev. Bro.
Agusto Lopeta, born in 1922 and too his first religious vow on March
19th 1975 along with other four southern Sudanese at Okaru.

We should thank God for this gift of vocation through St. Martin
brothers. He challenges all Christians to be witness of Christ wharves
they may be to prove themselves by being proactive Christians.

He was speaking at the celebrate marking the fifty year of St. Martin
de Porrous Brothers, catholic religious congregation, whose lifestyle
are surrounded with vows of poverty that makes them to be poor as
Jesus Christ, chastity makes them to be chase as Jesus Charist and
obedience makes them to be obedient as Jesus Charist and hence they
became the rock of poorer people especially among southern Sudanese
during the dark era of National Islamic led government of Omar Hassan
el Bashir.

Nevertheless, the Catholic Diocese of Yei bishop, Rev. Erkulano Lodu
Tombe says the Almighty God is full of Marcy, love and forgiveness to
all humanity therefore would avail itself at any center of Christian's
celebrations at any time. That is why we are celebrating the golden
jubilee of the congregation at a time when southern Sudan is
experiencing relative peace.

Bishop Tombe appeals to suspected corrupt government officials that
might be contemplating to commit suicide in order to end their life
because of shame and fears of going to prison to seek solace with God.
(Rev. Bro. Agusto Lopeta, renewing his50 years of religious vows today
at st Teresa Cathedral Kator Juba pic by Isaac Vuni)

He says God loves all his creatures and willing to receive them
irrespective of crimes they might have committed. Therefore apple to
such people to refrain from evil thoughts and instead confessed their
sins and God will forgive them.

He further said corruption and injustice are cardinal sins that
Christians should refrain from, especially looting their own resources
that render developmental services to all southern Sudanese.

Bishop Tombe also appeals to those civil servants who are entrusted to
take care of public fund to be responsible and apply the norm of
transparency and be accountable to the people because whatever they
are getting are in the name of the people of southern Sudan including
church personnel.

"It's better for them to confess their sins and they will be forgiven
by southern Sudanese people and the Almighty God", pleaded Bishop
Tombe.

He urges all southern Sudanese Christians not to abundant business
management because he said it's the sound basis for economy
empowerment of southern Sudanese. The bishop further rule out
allegation that Catholic are running away from politic, rather, its
part en parcel of humanity, therefore, it would be naïve for anyone to
think of that.

Bishop Lodu declared that that individual who wants to swallow public
funds are murders.

If they are people who have southern Sudan in their hearts, the better
be advised to repents than running away ,otherwise, they are not the
true sons of southern Sudan, he cautions.

The Bishop caution came at a time when some five senior government
officials of southern Sudan are arrested on cases related to
corruption with some involved in smuggling money to neighboring
countries.

On the other hand, archbishop Paulino Lokudu Loroo, the main
celebrant, pleaded to Almighty God, "What do you now wants of St.
Martin brothers congregation who have, in our natural eyes,
accomplished 50 years of service to the people centered on their vows
of poverty, chastity and obedience among southern Sudanese and
Ugandan?, he questioned.

We should thank God for the gift of St. Martin congregation in
southern Sudan particularly in the archdiocese of Juba where they are
involved in various promotional activities for the youth and women
empowerment. In southern Sudan, there are tow brothers congregations,
St. Martin Brothers based in Juba and St. Joseph Brothers based in
Wau. Lord gives them more strength and wisdom to continue serving our
people, he concluded. (Members of St. Martin Brothers at St. Teresa
Kator Cthedral renewing their religious vows to day, pic by Isaac
Vuni)

The congregation was founded by late bishop Sisto Mazzoldi. Currently
the community has 50 professed brothers serving in various parts of
catholic Archdiocese of Juba and Mpigi district in Uganda .The
brothers are mould in taking oath of obedience, poverty, charity,
chastity, humility and bringing joy and faith to people.

The occasion was witness by Major General Peter Cirilo, member of
State Council of minister at government of national Unity Khartoum,
Justice Ambro Riink Think, chief Justice of southern Sudan ,deputy
governor of eastern equatoria state, Allan Locurh, minister of health
,state of central equatoria ,cabinet ministers and hundreds of
thousands faithful Christians. As I file this report, the colorful
celebration is going on t St. Teresa cathedral Juba.

The Entebbe Workshop that produced the Implentation Strategies for HIV/AIDS Ministry

Accepting and Facing the Challenge of HIV/AIDS in the Sudan

“The Sudan Catholic Bishops take strength from the determination of both AMECEA and SECAM to lead all the Sudanese faithful and people of good will into the full and compassionate awareness, care and accompaniment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs)”

Just emerging from 21 years of war, Sudan is waking up to the reality of HIV and AIDS and the devastating effect the virus is having on development. Poverty is widespread.
Alcoholism, misinformation and lack of knowledge on the reality of HIV undermine the fight against the pandemic. Other root causes behind the rapid spread of the virus include such things as the cross-border movement of refugees, the internal displacement of families, the sexual abuse of children, the rape of women and girls, drug addiction and traditional and cultural practices such as wife inheritance and skin scarification. The virus that is causing AIDS is perhaps the greatest emergency facing the people of the Sudan at this time. It is also an emergency that is spreading silently.

Three years ago, the Catholic Church in the Sudan made a courageous decision to speak out about the HIV pandemic. “In war time, we did not pay attention to the risk of HIV and AIDS but now with the overcrowded situation of returnees and the migration of displaced people, we must exercise more awareness and greater prevention in order to keep this infection from spreading and becoming a merciless killer among the people.”

At the 15th AMECEA Plenary held in June 2005, the Bishops prioritised three areas in the struggle against HIV/AIDS:
• Provide leadership and commitment to the cause of HIV and AIDS,
• Foster partnerships to combat the disease, and
• Strengthen the organizational capacity of the Church.

Immediately after the AMECEA conference had ended, the Sudan Bishops held a plenary meeting at Namugongo, Kampala, Uganda and issued a pastoral Letter entitled: Compassionate Awareness, Care and Accompaniment of People Infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. The Bishops outlined the task of the Church in Sudan in the following statement: “The Church as a mother and teacher assumes her responsibility about HIV and AIDS by requesting all pastoral agents to acquire full knowledge and awareness of the disease and become strongly motivated to face this struggle with an effective spiritual, moral and curative approach” .

They committed themselves to:
• Bring about a total change of attitude towards people infected and affected by the virus.
• Direct efforts to eradicate stigma and discrimination against people living with AIDS.
• Play a major role in eradicating the damaging myths about the virus and challenge any social, religious, cultural and political practices which perpetuate stigma.
• Facilitate counselling, provide support and comfort to people living with HIV and AIDS through home-based care programmes and other initiatives.
• Encourage the practice of compassion, love, healing, reconciliation and hope, knowing that these bring great comfort to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES OF THE SUDAN BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE NATIONAL STRATEGY ON HIV AND AIDS.

The Catholic Church in the Sudan is in a unique position to respond to the reality of HIV and AIDS because of its threefold charism of being Teacher, Prophet and Servant.

As Teacher, the Church raises the awareness of HIV and AIDS among the people and strengthens their resolve and commitment to face the impact of HIV while proclaiming the full message of the prevention of the virus.

As Prophet, the Church stands beside those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and speaks out against any form of stigma and discrimination towards those living with HIV and AIDS. The Church also advocates for greater access to care and treatment and speaks up for those who are the most vulnerable to HIV and AIDS in our communities. The Church asks Government and other Faith Leaders to ensure that the human and legal rights of those living with AIDS are fully respected and safeguarded.

As Servant, the Church through its pastoral ministry brings compassion, care, support and hope to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The Church will continue to raise awareness of the impact of HIV and AIDS on the people of Sudan. The Church will make further progress in developing a training programme both at national and diocesan level for church personnel and pastoral workers so that they can implement a committed response at the level of the parish community and the family.

The Bishops’ Conference will continue to advocate with Government leaders and International Donors for greater access to funding for the treatment of people living with AIDS. The Conference will also network with sister agencies within the CARITAS confederation and CIDSE for funding and support at the local level of each of the Dioceses. CAFOD is privileged to continue the partnership with the Sudan Bishops’ Conference in the further implementation and support of the national HIV and AIDS programme.

The Bishops will appoint a “focal person” in each of the Dioceses to coordinate the HIV response at Diocesan level. This focal person will ensure that the Diocesan programme is community based, and that it collaborates and communicates with other activities within the Diocese, with other local NGOs and FBOs and particularly with local and national government strategies and initiatives. O

ne of these initiatives could be the drive to establish Local Voluntary Counseling and HIV Testing Centres. VCT Centres, managed by trained staff, can go a long way in enabling men and women to know their HIV status, and in supporting their efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus and, where necessary, seek care and treatment. Where feasible, the Church could contribute to this initiative by offering adequate training in the provision of pre and post-test counseling.

Increased efforts will be made among our people in the local communities of the Dioceses to build up a strong volunteer base at parish level to enable greater care and support for those infected and affected by the virus. Similar efforts will be made to welcome the involvement of people living with HIV and AIDS in the development and implementation of the HIV programme at the level of the local community, parish and diocese.

General Assembly of All SCBRC Personnel...

The 1st General Assembly (GA) for all SCBRC Personnel for the year 2007 took place on Wednesday, 21st March. The GA began with a prayer service sponsored by the Finance Department and a benediction by the Secretary General, Fr. Anthony Bangoye.

The first item in the agenda was the update on the Secretariat’s move to Juba. The donor partners that pledged to assist in the move have begun remitting their commitments. Trocaire, CAFOD and Caritas Italiana have already done so and the other partners are doing their best to do likewise.

Once the SCBRC will have on hand a substantial amount for the move to Juba, detailed plan and program of actions will be finalized and published. While waiting for this, the SCBRC counsels patience and prayer for the smooth transfer of the Secretariat to Juba.

The next in the agenda were the reports of each department. Three departments have recently concluded their consultation and workshops. The HIV/AIDS Department conducted a Training Workshop for South Sudan Focal Persons in Entebbe. The workshop produced an important document called the Entebbe Strategies that will be the guidelines for the work of the department and the focal persons in the dioceses. (We shall publish this document with photos of the Entebbe Workshop on HIV/AIDS)

The third item was the workshop is the Justice and Peace Training of Trainers Workshop held in Rumbek. The report of this workshop including photos was published in the blogspot earlier.

The fourth report came from the Development & Education Department. It conducted a consultation meeting in Juba on how to properly disburse the donation from the Italian Episcopal Conference supporting each diocese in the Sudan to have kindergarten and primary education program. It was also noted that the Government of South Sudan has begun paying the salary of the staff in accredited non-government schools.

The final portion of the meeting focused on operational systems that need to be followed by all the departments. The systems are already in place and the appropriate forms are available. Some of these forms cover travel plans, advances, use of vehicles and other requests that need the approval of the General Secretary. The policy on liquidation of expenses within a week upon return to the office is requested by the Finance Department. Here will be no release of new money to the department unless the proper liquidation of the previous release has been accomplished and approved by the duly designated authority.

The General Secretary reminds all that the Wednesday Prayer Service is for ALL. In many ways, the prayer service is our collective identity as mission partners of the Sudan Catholic Bishops. No one should absent himself/herself from the prayer service without reasonable cause.

The Assembly ended by a special benediction of Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI who is accompanying the SCBRC for three months in capacity building.

SCBRC Personnel - March 2007

SCBRC Plenary Meeting - 2006

The Role of the SCBRC...

Since 1997, SCBRC has been assuming different roles according to the emerging needs of the time. At one time SCBRC put more emphasis on relief assistance because the situation dictated it. At other times, SCBRC concentrated on financial support for scholarships of higher studies. The justice and peace department, pastoral and communications departments have marched on steadily but with many problems mainly caused lack of linkages with the partner dioceses and inadequate funding. The development department suffered a major lack of funding during the period of 2005 and 2006 but was saved by the SOA-12, 2005 emergency funding. The HIV and AIDS has been the most steady of all the departments.

It can be stated that SCBRC has not yet consciously developed a unifying role so that it can be of assistance to the dioceses. The structure of departmentalization needs to be re-examined and a more team approach arrangement be put forward for effective capacity building in the dioceses. Despite all the constraints and challenges, SCBRC has worked tirelessly to correct the many managerial and financial mistakes it had inherited from 2002 to 2005. Credit must be given to the SCBRC Accompannier/ Advisor who has injected many ideas on institutional and financial control to all the departments. In 2006, through the emergency program experiences, SCBRC is now shaping its role into the following aspects:

1. developing effective working relationship and partnerships with the dioceses;
2. playing the role of creating and establishing relevant linkages, sharing experiences and information with dioceses and also availing platforms for inter-diocesan round-table discussions;

3. advocating and lobbying for the support of church programs in dioceses by the Caritas Family and CIDSE;

4. offering chances for the training of diocesan staff; and

5. assisting dioceses to develop partnerships with relevant NGO’S and CBO;

JP Workshop Participants

JP Training of Trainers Workshop for South Sudan

The SCBRC Justice and Peace Department organized a Training of Trainers’ Workshop from the 5th to the 15th of March, 2007. The workshop took place at Pan Door, Rumbek and was attended by participants from six Catholic Dioceses of El Obeid, Malakal, Rumbek, Torit, Tombura-Yambio, and Wau. The Archdiocese of Juba and the diocese of Yei were not able to send their participants. It was the first time that the dioceses of El Obeid and Malakal were teaming up the dioceses under SCBRC to do training on Justice and Peace.

Present also were, United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNIMIS) Civil Affairs and Human Rights Departments, and a team from the Judiciary of Southern Sudan who shared their mandate and experiences with the participants.

The major objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity of the dioceses in responding to Justice and Peace issues after the signing of the CPA. It also had the aim of fostering closer cooperation between SCBRC and the dioceses, ensuring quality and timely reports from the dioceses and SCBRC.

The participants were trained on a number of areas including, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Social Reconstruction of Southern Sudan, Healing and Reconciliation, Human Rights, Advocacy and Networking, Formation and strengthening of Justice and Peace Committees, Report writing and organizing workshops.

The workshop was facilitated by the following people:
Fr. Eliseo Mercado, OMI, consultant on Peace Agreements, Reconstruction, Healing and Reconciliation (JPIC Rome & Philippines).
Donough Ryan, Regional Advocacy Officer, Trocaire.
Julius Ojok, Lawyer, Justice and Peace Coordinator, SCBRC.
Dinah Makori, Administrative Assistant SCBRC
The team also had the benefit of great presentations and sharing from John Ashworth and a team of youth from the dioceses of Witbank and Cape Town, South Africa.

(The workshop was funded by SCBRC Partner, the Caritas Ireland – Trocair

Fr. Santino Maurino - Coordinator of the Pastoral Department

The SCBRC Pastoral Department

Goal: The goal of Pastoral department is to promote holistic and deeper evangelization repeatedly recommended by the Hierarchy (Bishops of SCBRC) and requested by the new ecclesial-social-political Sudanese reality, stressing the holistic human approach both to individuals and society. This goal will be achieved through:-

1. Working in the guidance of the Secretary General (Fr Anthony Bangoye) and with other departments.
2. Working in consultation with the Bishop Chairman (H.L. Caesar Mazzolari) of the pastoral department.
3. Exchanging pastoral information and material with other Pastoral Centers - locally and internationally.
4. Organizing Pastoral Coordinator’s meetings, capacity building workshops, catechist trainings,
5. SCBRC Pastoral Coordinator visiting the dioceses.
6. Pastoral Bulletins.
7. Training of Sudanese Pastoral Agents, locally, inter-diocesan and through international LUMKO courses, which have been held.
8. Ongoing Formation of Pastoral Agents (the department has scheduled some).
9. Assisting the Diocesan Pastoral offices with materials like; initial equipments, video deck, sound system, TV, video cassettes, textbooks on pastoral education. (this has been done)
10. Facilitating HIV/AIDS awareness in South Sudan in coordination with other NGOs. There is need to train the pastoral personnel for a positive integration.

Objectives: Support to the pastoral diocesan coordinators both for structures (Diocesan office-material) and contents (catechetical, liturgical books videos etc) in order to be effective in their ministry. The SCBRC Pastoral Department will work with the Diocesan pastoral coordinators in:-

1. Improving the organization and functioning of the “local pastoral office” structure
2. Advancing ongoing formation, skills and basic instruments for the ministry of pastoral agents.
3. Promoting effective methods of evangelization through SCCs (Small Christian Communities) and to foster inculturation processes within the dioceses as spelled out by the African Synod.
4. Ensuring a holistic approach in pastoral activities, keeping in mind that “whatever is truly human is Christian.

Latest Update on the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) and its Impact in South Sudan...

Ugandan rebels say will restart talks in South Sudan
Friday 16 March 2007 10:41.

March 16, 2007 (KAMPALA) — Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)
rebels said on Friday they would return to peace talks in south Sudan
if the government there increased security to keep the Ugandan army
from attacking them.

The rebels quit talks with Uganda in the south Sudanese capital, Juba,
in January, denting hopes for an end to two decades of bloodshed in
northern Uganda.

"There is now a willingness to go back to Juba," LRA spokesman Obonyo
Olweny told Reuters by telephone. "We are just waiting for a response
from southern Sudan."

The LRA said they pulled out fearing for their security after Sudanese
President Omar al-Bashir threatened them.

The change of heart follows a trip on Sunday by the U.N. envoy for the
conflict, former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, to talk with
fugitive rebel leader, Joseph Kony.

This week, Uganda said it had wooed LRA delegates back on promises of
adding mediators from African countries besides south Sudan.

The insurgency led by guerrillas notorious for mutilating victims and
kidnapping children has killed thousands of Ugandan civilians and
displaced nearly 2 million people.

Olweny said the promise to expand the mediators to include five other
countries — Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo — satisfied the LRA.

But the LRA demanded better security for their negotiators in Juba and
their fighters scattered in south Sudan and on the Sudan/Congo border.

"If those concerns are addressed, we can go back," he said.

The LRA accuses the Ugandan army of ambushing their fighters in Sudan.
An August truce between the two sides expired last month with no
renewal.

"They (Uganda) should pull their troops out of Sudan. Only when the
last troop crosses back to Uganda can we have peace," Olweny said. He
said that was not necessarily a pre-condition of talks restarting.

The army insists it will stay in Sudan to monitor the LRA. (Reuters)

(This is a forward by John Ashworth)

Bishop Caesare Mazzolari, MCCJ - Bishop of Rumbek

FOCUS: DIOCESE OF RUMBEK

Capital of Buhirat (Lakes) State and headquarter of the Rumbek province.

1. Historical notes :

The territory of Rumbek Diocese reserved, under the colonial rule of zones of religious influence, to the Episcopalian Church; Catholic expatriate missionaries were not allowed in.

In 1995 a new Ap. Vicariate was created assigned to local clergy who were free to settle and operate freely. The first Sudanese Bishop, H.L. Ireneo Wien Dud, was at the head of the Vicariate.

03.07.1955 Apostolic Vicariate of Rumbek
12.12.1974 Diocese of Rumbeck, suffragan of Juba.

2. Extent : The diocese comprises the three provinces (Rumbek, Yirol, Chuoibet) of the Buhairat State, the two provinces (Warap, Tonj) of the Warap State.

- Pastoral situation : By a written understanding with Bishop of Wau, the communities of Wau Diocese beyond their reach are entrusted temporarily to the Ordinary of Rumbek ; Wau diocese supports with personnel and other resources according to availability. Practically the following areas are under the care of Rumbek Ordinary : North Bahr el Ghazal State (except for Aweil Town and along the railway) ; the provinces of Gogrial, Turalei and Apuk of Warap State ; all communities living 15-20 miles from Wau.

- Area : 56.318 sq. km. - Population : 1. 500.000 - Catholics : 125.000

3. Ordinary : H.E. Bishop Caesare Mazzolari, MCCJ, born at Brescia (Italy) 9.7.1937 ; ordained Priest 17.3.1962 ; appointed Apostolic Administrator of Rumbek in 1990, appointed Bishop on 21.11.1998, consecrated on 6.1.1999.
Address : P.O.B. 21102 Nairobi (Kenya) - Tél : 254/2/562247, 569130. fax + 254/2/566668 e-mail scio@maf.org

- Predecessors :
1955 - 1960 Bishop Ireneo Wien Dud, Apostolic Vicar
1960 - 1972 Msgr. Lino Tiboi. Aposotolic Administrator
1972 - 1975 Bishop Ireneo Wien Dud, Ap. Vicar of Wau, Apostolic Administrator
1975 - 1976 Bishop Gabriel Zubeir Wako
1976 - 1982 Bishop Gabriel Dwatuka
1982 - 1983 Archbishop Agostino Baroni, MCCJ, Ap. Administrator
1983 - 1990 V.Rev. Fr. Giuseppe Pellerino, MCCJ, Ap. Administrator
1990 - Bishop Caesar Mazzolari, MCCJ, Ap. Administrator up to 1999, then
Bishop.

Fr. Anthony Bangoye - SCBRC Secretary General

Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference Statement on HIV/AIDS

We, the Catholic Bishops of Sudan, gathered at the Comboni Sisters’ Retreat Centre in Namugongo (Kampala – June 15th to the 24th – 2005) send our prayerful greetings to all the faithful in the Sudan from the land of the Uganda Martyrs.

Previous to our SCBC Plenary, we attended the 15th AMECEA Plenary Meeting in Mukono Kampala (June 5 – June 12-2005), which focused on the destructive consequences and detrimental scourge, which is HIV/AIDS. The AMECEA Bishops expressed their resolution with the words “the Good Samaritan, the Healing Christ”. It is a resolution to take notice of the struggling patients of HIV/AIDS and to assist them toward a positive life with the faithful compassion and love of the Samaritan.

The members of AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa) actually adopted fully the HIV/AIDS plan of SECAM, the members of (Symposium Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar), who was promulgated in their XIII Plenary in 2003.

Motivated by both the AMECEA and SECAM determination about HIV/AIDS, we the Sudanese people, must also seriously consider our approach about this terrible pandemic. It is a crucial life-concern that is now engaging everyone in the African continent. Only a global concern and well-structured approach can cure our continent from this scourge. Our appeal therefore is directed to every sector of our christian population and to all people of good will for our land of Sudan.

Government Leaders

It is upon our political, civil and military leaders that falls a large amount of responsibility to curtail and cure the HIV/AIDS pandemic by proper education, hospitalisation and treatment of patients. We need urgently a proper behaviour change and vigilance to prevent promiscuity, licentious behaviour and excessive intake of alcohol in our society. Education and awareness programs must diligently be provided in all schools, educational centres, social groups, and wherever people can be publicly addressed.

Our government leaders should also facilitate the procuring of testing equipment and drug treatment. They should also provide availability of drug treatment free of cost for HIV/AIDS infected patients.

Common Concern

All members of our society must grow in the realization that everyone has a responsibility in preventing, caring and providing awareness about HIV/AIDS. The family is the most appropriate environment for proper education, discipline, and renewal of Christian values for our society as a whole. Families must overcome the traditional reserve to speak openly on sexual matters to prevent the evil of HIV/Aids on account of ignorance and shame. People must overcome the fear of undergoing blood tests, especially young people who are about to enter marriage to prevent regrets later in their marital life.

Each of our communities must become aware and create awareness as well as generate compassion and care for HIV/AIDS patients. In our social environment we must protect our youth and adults from places of entertainment and associations that are conducive to improper moral behaviour. Parents and teachers must instruct children from their tender age about the risk of this new disease.

The Role of the Church

The Church as mother and teacher assumes her responsibility about HIV/AIDS by requesting all pastoral agents to acquire full knowledge and awareness of the disease and become strongly motivated to face this struggle with an effective spiritual, moral and curative approach.

The Caring and Curing Approach

We must bring about a total change of attitude toward people infected and affected with the disease. Let us develop a Christian spirit of open ears and open arms for HIV/AIDS patients. Our efforts must be directed to eradicate stigma and discrimination. We should not avoid to associate with people suffering from this disease and we should not refer them with offensive names or language. This would increase their pain and depression. Instead we should facilitate counselling, providing services and comfort to HIV patients through home based care and other initiatives.

The church intends to play a major role in eradicating the damaging myths of stigma and will try to challenge any social, religious, cultural and political norms and practices, which perpetuate such stigma. As a mother, the church will encourage people living with HIV/AIDS to become actively involved in our local communities as resource persons in the struggle against the pandemic.

As a faithful teacher, the church must instruct and give support to the practice of the virtues of compassion, love, healing, reconciliation and hope, knowing that these are healing values for people suffering from this disease.

In war time we did not pay attention to the risk of HIV/AIDS, but now with the overcrowded situation of returnees and migration of displaced population, we must exercise more awareness and greater prevention in order to keep this infection from spreading and becoming a merciless killer among our people. We do not need this kind of war.

We invite NGO’s and Aid agencies personnel to extend their assistance in the prevention of this infection and in the treatment of people infected with HIV/AIDS. Their contribution of drugs, testing equipment and every kind of comprehensive curative action would be vital for the fight against this viral disease.

Message of hope

To all who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS we address a message of hope. “You can still live positively with AIDS”. The church will strive to sustain you in your difficult struggle both through the ministry of our pastoral agents as well as by creating in our health departments areas of comprehensive medical treatment, counselling programs and by encouraging your participation in self-help programs. We therefore encourage everyone to overcome fear and shame and come out to be tested and receive the necessary care and treatment. Life can go on positively for those who dare to join the life-serving program of HIV/AIDS.

In conclusion we would like to repeat the essential message, namely that faithfulness to your marriage partner and abstinence from sex for young and unmarried people are the surest ways to avoid infection from this viral disease. Through a deeper life of faith, nourished in prayer and the word of God, we can refill ourselves daily with the Spirit that gives us “power, love and self-control”.(2. Tim. 1,7)

In all things be a “good Samaritan in the image of the healing Christ”. “We do not cease praying for you and asking that you live in a manner worthy of the Lord and in every good work, strengthened with His power, for all endurance and patience, with joy, giving thanks to the Father. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1.9-14)”.

We salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The Catholic Bishops of Sudan

SCBRC Members

SCBRC Vision, Mission & Values...

Vision: The SCBRC has the vision of transforming Sudan where all Sudanese will live as a people in a just and peaceful society built on the pillars of freedom, love, and mutual respect.

Mission: To help build the Kingdom of God among the Sudanese people by fostering among the dioceses Communication, Development, Pastoral, and Justice and Peace, by building local capacities in order to facilitate the realization of peoples potential to create a more humane society.

• Help the dioceses speak with one voice in matters of common concern and advocacy.
• Help facilitate diocesan and interdiocesan programs.
• Prepare background information, materials and analysis of the present social political situation in the Sudan and particularly the region where we work.

Values of the SCBRC

• Love shown by caring relationships
• Faith and Hope in the power of Jesus’ Resurrection
• Equality - Justice for all especially those who have been discriminated against and marginalized
• Respect and Reconciliation in situations of tension and conflict