MESSAGE FROM HIS GRACE, THE MOST REVD DR JOSEPH MARONA
ARCHBISHOP AND PRIMATE OF SUDAN
TO THE AFRECS CONFERENCE IN APRIL 2007
Greetings to our American Friends of the Episcopal Church of Sudan in the name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
We give thanks to God for our partnership and the fellowship we share in Christ and for the concern God has placed in your hearts for the people of Sudan.
Your meeting in St Louis, Missouri, takes place at a time when our country Sudan is at a crossroads. We are deeply concerned at the still worsening situation in Darfur and the lack of commitment from the parties concerned to tackle the crisis. We also face serious concerns over implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
The CPA represents the most significant breakthrough for creating a just and sustainable peace in our war-wounded country. It embodies the hopes and aspirations of our people. It was achieved at great cost and deserves to be protected in the face of conflicting political agendas. The international community, especially our international church partners, played a crucial role in bringing about the CPA. In the times ahead, the continued support of the international community will be crucial to ensure proper implementation.
The CPA, and with it the creation of the Government of Southern Sudan, has opened the way for new programmes to go ahead in the South. The Church has been recognized as a key player in providing basic services within the community, particularly in the field of education and health. We also have new opportunities to develop our human resources, in terms of developing both management and administrative capacity. It is also a time to strengthen and deepen the faith of the Church through opportunities for theological education. In particular we face the challenge of training the many untrained pastors who through necessity were ordained during time of conflict. At this time, more than ever, we require a strong provincial structure for the church to support the dioceses in taking all these programmes forwards. The various provincial Commissions will play a key role in this.
In all these challenges the Church can work most effectively through partnership. In Sudan we greatly value our partnership with our brothers and sisters within the body of Christ. We look forward to deepening these relationships and welcoming our friends from AFRECS to visit us and see more of the situation in Sudan.
As you meet in St Louis, please hold the work of the Episcopal Church of Sudan in your prayers. Please pray in particular for the bishops elect for the dioceses of Kajo Keji, Ezo and Torit due to be consecrated on 22nd April. You may also be aware that I have announced my retirement at the end of 2007 because of ill health. I would be very grateful for your prayers both personally and for the process towards electing my successor early in 2008.
With my prayers and best wishes for you all.
The Most Revd Dr Joseph Marona
Archbishop and Primate of Sudan