This year's Sudan Catholic Bishops' Regional Conference SCBRC meeting ended at the Carmelite Community here on February 5 with the participants renewing their commitment to search for justice and peace in the war-ravaged Sudan.  

The SCBRC's membership comprises bishops of all the Catholic dioceses in Southern Sudan areas controlled by the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement SPLA/M.  

This year's meeting was attended by all, but Bishop Macram Max Gassis was away in the United States to receive the 12th William Wilberforce Award for his efforts to end religious persecution in Sudan. (see earlier story on AANA Bulletin 06/00 of February 14 under News)  

The annual award is given in honour of William Wilberforce, an 18th Century British parliamentarian who stood against his party and fellow parliamentarians in his campaign to abolish the slave trade.  

Those who attended the meeting in the Kenyan capital, here, were Joseph Gasi Abangite, the Bishop of Tambura-Yambio and chairman of SCBRC, Bishop Caesar Mazzolari of Rumbek and Erkolano Lodu Tombe of Yei.  

Others included Bishop Paride Taban of Torit and Johnson Akio Mutek, who is the auxiliary bishop in the same diocese. The bishops told of the progress and tribulations they have encountered in their crusade for peace and justice in Africa's largest country.  

Taban gave details of the difficulties in the area under his jurisdiction which shares borders with Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia, and where cattle rustling among the different nomadic communities is widespread.  

The bishops confirmed the formation of a Justice and Peace Commission with two secretaries, one in the Kenyan capital and another in Khartoum. The two offices are to work in close collaboration. 

Other issues discussed at length were education and scholarships for young deserving Sudanese to tertiary and university levels and the strengthening of SCBRC's communication department.  

The bishops further deliberated on the progress they have made in organising the chaplaincy to the SPLA combatants. They also considered some aspects of ecumenical co-operation with other Christian churches in the rebel-controlled areas.  

The purpose of the Justice and Peace Commission is to develop, foster and promote the social teachings of the church, as dictates that are fundamental to defend the lives and rights of all peoples of Sudan.  

The Commission's task force late last year visited South Africa, Kenya and Uganda to exchange ideas with members of those countries' peace and justice commissions.   

In her contribution, a lady participant in the week-long deliberations, Rebecca Okwaci, called on the warring factions in Sudan to stop targeting civilians.  

She appealed to the combatants to have respect for cultural and religious diversity of all Sudanese and for the raising of women's participation in all peace talks on Sudan to at least 30 percent.