Preamble

We, the Bishops of Sudan, gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for our Plenary Assembly send our greetings of peace and love in the name of Christ, our peace. In preparation for the Jubilee 2000 and for the Centenary of Evangelization in the Sudan, we are launching the following pastoral programme for all Christians in the Sudan.  It is a programme that is intended to deepen the understanding and implementation of the "Vision Mission and Values" published by the bishops of Sudan in September of 1997 in Rome.

The Current situation in the Sudan

We, the Catholic Bishops of the Sudan, being critically aware of the devastating civil war in our country, and mindful of our responsibilities as Bishops, have discussed among other things the question of war and peace in the Sudan. We also reflected on the situation of human rights in general as well as on famine currently affecting various parts of the country, especially the hardest hit areas such as Bahr El Ghazal.

We noted with the greatest concern the devastating consequences of the on-going war on civilian population and property as represented by the continuing loss of innocent lives (this amounts to ethnic cleansing) and destruction of property; rampant sense of frustration and hopelessness; broken families; spread of crime and immorality including rape; dislocation and displacement of whole populations resulting in unprecedented suffering, impoverishment and dehumanization. The influx of refugees to the neighbouring countries no doubt relates to the agonizing effects of this war.

We also noted with regret certain practices which undermine the dignity and worth of the human person. In particular, we deplore extrajudicial punishment, disappearances, slavery and slavery-related practices, tortures, restrictions on freedom of worship, lack of freedom of expression, discriminative laws, practices and attitudes, manipulation of the media, lack of genuine dialogue between Christians and Moslems. We disapprove of the use of food for faith or as a weapon. Furthermore, we express our concern for civilian population in crossfire especially in situation involving aerial bombardment. And finally, we deplore the slow, almost cynical response to the famine situation and the denial of food aid to some areas including the Nuba Mountains. By way of warning, we express our fears that another more devastating famine is looming and may most likely hit again in 1999 because of this year's insufficient rains and draught and other reasons. The situation will demand timely concerted effort both at the national and international level.

We cite the situation of war to express our total rejection of it. This conflict infact should challenge and disturb the conscience of any believer in God or any person of goodwill. The situation is unacceptable and we call upon the principle parties to the conflict to seriously work for a negotiated settlement and to stop the perpetration of the heinous crimes.

As we reflected on the war situation, we could see that there are signs of hope and some light at the end of the tunnel. The Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) involvement in the peace process although slow is commendable and encouraging. We also praise and encourage the role of friends of IGAD in the peace process. In addition, we commend the parties of the conflict for courageously coming to the negotiating table last August. This effort and spirit should continue. Equally, praiseworthy is the acceptance of a limited cease-fire by both parties.

As far as the people are concerned, there are also signs of hope. The people are becoming increasingly aware of their destiny and are closing their ranks in unity and supportive of one another. They are more conscious than ever of their dignity and rights and of their duties and obligations towards the community and the Church. Many young people and intellectuals are more prepared now than ever, to involve in community and Church affairs. They are involved in educational, cultural and religious programmes. For example, Bible is presently being translated into many indigenous languages. The youth and women, in collaboration with the Church are working whole-heartedly for better understanding of the scriptures and for the spread of literacy. The Gospel has now reached areas previously untouched and the spirit of the people, both young and old, to learn the good news is at once genuine and determined. We thank the selfless efforts and commitment of the youth, women and pastoral workers.

Signs of hope are spreading in other communities. We note with appreciation that people outside the Christian community are fostering our same values and are sharing with the larger community in its efforts and concern. We encourage this to continue for the good of our nation, the Sudan;

A - Expression of concern for justice, and peace and restoration of Hope

We need to revisit the Vision Mission and Values proposed in September, 1997 by SCBC plenary assembly in Rome and make it practical in our daily Christina life.

We recall the words of the opening lines of the "Vision, Mission and Values".

"The catholic Bishops of the Sudan during their annual plenary assembly in Rome (September 1997) looked at the terrible situation of non-peace in the Sudan. It was frightful and detestable. So we asked ourselves : "What kind of peace does the Sudan need today ? Not just any peace, but the kind of peace for which people are prepared to struggle to expand their energies and even to die". This is how our "Vision of the Sudan" was born. From now on, we will not be just working for the Sudan but for the kind of Sudan we saw in our "vision" - our vision of a better and happier Sudan (Vision, Mission and Values).

What kind of peace and justice do we, as the Church, the Family of Good want to promote in civil society ?

Peace is a Gift of God and an Involving Process

1 - Peace is of divine origin

Peace is God's gift to Humanity. God created us in his own image and, through Christ, redeemed us and made us His adopted children. By reason of His adoption as God's children we are destined to enjoy, among others, the gifts of freedom and justice. The kind of peace we are seeking follows from the faith acceptance that we are all God's children with the rights to exist and to share in all of God's creation.

2 - Peace Deals with the Dignity God Has Given to us

When God created us in his image and likeness He planted in each one of us the seed of dignity and self-worm. God expects that we should respect human dignity. Our human rights are derived from this dignity. In fact throughout the bible we see God punishing and violation or denial of human dignity and rights from Cain and Abel (Gen. Chapter 4) to the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16, 13-19). Cain was punished for shedding innocent human blood and the rich man was punished into hell for not acknowledging and honouring the dignity of poor Lazarus. We are striving for the kind of Peace and Justice that upholds and promotes human dignity.

3 - Peace is Involvement in a Dynamic and Never Ending Process

The "Vision and Mission" for peace calls us to become participants in the vocation and mission of Christ. This means first of all that we must acknowledge, that all men and women are made in the image and sacredness of God. Secondly we must respect the dignity of every individual and express it by living in rightful and harmonious relationships with everyone. Thirdly, as sharers in Christ's mission we take example from his sacrificial death and total offering of self in order to justify us and bring us peace. In the never ending process of peace we are called to give ourselves selflessly to the point of total sacrifice for the common good as Christ did in order to free the world from injustice and captivity. We ourselves have to be co-responsible in building the kingdom of God through justice, reconciliation and peace.

4 - Peace is everyone's responsibility

The kind of peace we are seeking is a gift of God that on account of our sinfulness has to be regained time and again. On our part it requires the upholding of God's values and His order within the human community  through responsible, social action and political leadership. But it also demands the co-operation of each one of us with a totally unselfish and honest involvement in the process of peace.

"In our present situation, such a vision of the Sudan seems a dream precisely because there are so many forces working in the opposite direction. Our "Mission Statement" spells out our programme of work to weaken the forces of evil and strengthen those of good. It is our commitment. It is the very mission Jesus Christ took upon himself and handed on to his disciples for all times.

Such a Mission Statement is demanding. So, we set before ourselves certain "Values" to sustain us in our effort. These values are based on Christian faith, hope and love. They must become integral to our Christian Vocation and Ministry as Bishops. They are values that should help and urge us reach out imploringly to God with whom nothing is impossible. They have to be cultivated with patience and perseverance until they become nature to us.

We now share our "Vision, Mission and Values" with you. Our hope is that they become the "Vision, Mission and Values of the Church in the Sudan" as it struggles together with all Sudanese of good will to restore peace to our country.

We ask you to pray for us, your Bishops, that we may continue to be light and salt in our country. We ask you to gradually make our "Vision, Mission and Values" your very own. Through the intercession of Mary our mother, of Blessed J. Bahkita and Blessed D. Comboni, we shall and will obtain from God all the graces we need to bring peace to our country.

Brothers and Sisters, we have a very noble programme to work, suffer and even die for. It is the programme of Jesus Christ who died on the cross in order to bring us peace. He is "the Way, the Truth and the Life". He will guide us into the way of peace. To him be glory and praise for ever and ever  (Vision, Mission and Values).

B - Pastoral programme

As Bishops, we present to all Christians a pastoral programme intended to bring our lives to the service of Justice, Peace and restoration of Hope among our people. We prepared and shared this pastoral programme with representatives of the priests, religious and laity. We now call upon priests, religious and laity to give the necessary enlightenment and implementation to this pastoral programme in all our Christian Communities. We hope that our programme will be useful to all people of good will.

(if your are interested by the pastoral programme, please contact us)