Paul Keenan
Cardinal Peter Turkson has travelled as Pope Francis’ special envoy to troubled South Sudan to deliver a message of peace to rival leaders in the nation.
The head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace carried letters from the Pontiff for President Salva Kiir and for Vice President Riek Machar, the leaders of the opposing ethnic factions who fell to renewed fighting in mid-July. While the Pope’s letters appealed for a negotiated settlement to South Sudan’s fractious atmosphere, Cardinal Turkson said his own role in the country was “to try to get [the leaders] to come together at some point, to see if we could facilitate a reconciliation, to help them build some trust and confidence in each other”.
He was happy to report that the leaders are united in ensuring a programme of reforms is in place by the time of fresh election in 2018.
Meanwhile, in relation to ordinary citizens who were gravely affected by the renewed fighting in the capital Juba and beyond, Cardinal Turkson said: “A lot of the women and children and even boys have sought refuge in Churches and in schools, and that is where they live, and the priests and brothers and nuns try to take care of them as best as they can.”
Strain
Speaking of the urgent need for funds to help religious orders meet the extra strain after the fighting, Cardinal Turkson pointed out there have already been outbreaks of dysentery and malaria. “There’s a need for medication and there’s a need for food supplies,” he said.