The ecumenical event held at the mausoleum John Garang of Juba, the South Sudanese capital, was perhaps the most emblematic of Pope Francis' visit to South Sudan, dubbed by the Holy See as an 'ecumenical pilgrimage of peace'.
The Anglican Archbishop confirmed it Justin WelbyHe said that never before had there been a pilgrimage of peace like the one that has now taken place in South Sudan, initiated at the Vatican in 2019 with the encouragement of Pope Francis.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said: "My dear brothers, Pope Francis and Moderator Iain, and I, are here as part of your family, your communion, to be with you and to share in your suffering. We have undertaken this pilgrimage of peace as it has never been done before, ever. We cannot, we do not want to be divided."
He then added, quoting St. Paul: "Nothing on earth can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Nothing can separate those of us who share that love. The blood of Christ unites us, regardless of our differences. It alone is sufficient for our salvation. We need no more sacrifices. My sister and my brother are never, never, never my enemies".
In South Sudan, the mausoleum of John Garang is a symbol for the population. Located in the center of Juba, the capital of the country, this space where the tomb of the father of independence, who led the Liberation Movement of the people of South Sudan until 2005, and who was vice president and president of the government, is of great importance for the South Sudanese nation. The ecumenical ceremony was attended by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and other authorities of the country.
Development of the event
Rev. Thomas Tut Puot Mut, president of the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), introduced the prayers, and recalled that there are still refugees in neighboring countries, and many others are internally displaced from their homes and villages, due to flooding, communal disputes and unwanted violence.
"May the pilgrimage of peace to South Sudan," he said, "arouse and empower in us the spirit of change, which includes hope, reconciliation, forgiveness, justice, good governance and unity in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on Conflict Resolution in the Republic of South Sudan."
"Let us confess our faith together"
For his part, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Rev. Iain Greenshields acknowledged that he was there at the invitation "of the Archbishop and the Pope to this historic pilgrimage for peace," and that "this visit was promised during the spiritual retreat at the Vatican in 2019."
Moderator Iain Greenshields noted in his brief address that "there is a strong legacy of churches working together for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan," a theme that Pope Francis would later address, and that "they played a key role in the peaceful achievement of the nation's independence. We hope to foster the continued unity of the churches for the common good in South Sudan, for justice and fullness of life for all the people."
"We pray for the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit," he said, "that this ecumenical pilgrimage of peace to South Sudan may increase in all of us the spirit of change; that it may empower us all to seek hope, reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and unity in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. [Let us turn to God and confess our faith together".
"First and foremost, pray."
Pope Francis, who spoke at the end of the ceremony, began by noting that "from this beloved and martyred land many prayers have just been raised to heaven. As Christians, praying is the first and most important thing we are called to do in order to do good and have the strength to walk".
In fact, the appeal to "prayer" - "first of all, pray" - was the main argument of his speech, although he completed it with a concrete reference to "act" and "walk".
"The great effort of Christian communities in human promotion, solidarity and peace would be in vain without prayer. Indeed, we cannot promote peace without first having invoked Jesus, 'Prince of Peace' (Is 9:5)," the Holy Father said.
"In our parishes, churches, assemblies of worship and praise, let us be assiduous and unanimous in prayer (cf. Acts 1:14), that South Sudan, like the people of God in Scripture, may "reach the promised land"; that it may dispose, with tranquility and justice, of the fertile and rich land it possesses, and be filled with that promised peace, although, unfortunately, not yet obtained."
"Whoever follows Christ chooses peace, always."
"Secondly, precisely for the cause of peace, we are called to work," the Pope continued. "Jesus wants us to 'work for peace' (cf. Mt 5:9); that is why he wants his Church to be not only a sign and instrument of intimate union with God, but also of the unity of the whole human race (cf. Lumen gentium, 1)."
"This is the peace of God," he continued, "not just a truce to conflicts, but a fraternal communion, which is the result of conjugating, not dissolving; of forgiving, not being above; of reconciling, not imposing. So great is the desire for peace from heaven that it was announced at the moment of Christ's birth: 'on earth peace to those whom he loves' (Lk 2:14).
Francis went on to state even more clearly the choice Christians must make: "Dear brothers and sisters, those who call themselves Christians must choose which side to be on. Those who follow Christ always choose peace; those who unleash war and violence betray the Lord and deny his Gospel".
"The style that Jesus teaches us is clear: to love everyone, because all are loved as children of the common Father who is in heaven. The Christian's love is not only for those who are close to him, but for everyone, because everyone in Jesus is our neighbor, our brother and sister, even our enemy (cf. Mt 5:38-48). This is all the more true for those who belong to the same people, even if they are of a different ethnic group. Love one another as I have loved you' (Jn 15:12), this is the commandment of Jesus, which contradicts any tribal vision of religion. That they all may be one' (Jn 17:21), this is Jesus' fervent prayer to the Father for us believers".
"Let us strive, brothers and sisters, for this fraternal unity among us Christians, and let us help each other to transmit the message of peace to society," the Pope encouraged, "to spread Jesus' style of nonviolence, so that in those who profess to be believers there is no more room for a culture based on the spirit of revenge; so that the Gospel is not just a beautiful religious discourse, but a prophecy that becomes a reality in history."
"South Sudan's ecumenical heritage".
Finally, the Catholic pontiff urged to "walk". "The ecumenical heritage of South Sudan is a precious treasure; a praise to the name of Jesus; an act of love for the Church, his bride; a universal example towards the path of Christian unity. It is an inheritance to be guarded in the same spirit. May the ecclesial divisions of past centuries not influence those who are evangelized, but may the seed of the Gospel contribute to spreading greater unity.
"May tribalism and factionalism, which fuel violence in the country, not affect interfaith relations. On the contrary, may the believers' witness of unity have an impact on the people," he added, encouraging us to pray "every day for one another and with one another; working together as witnesses and mediators of the peace of Jesus; walking along the same path, taking concrete steps of charity and unity. In everything, let us love one another deeply and sincerely (cf. 1 Pet 1:22)".
Pope Francis concludes his stay in South Sudan with the celebration of Holy Mass on Sunday, in the same place where the ecumenical prayer was held: the iconic mausoleum of John Garang, and with an intense call to prayer and to work for the peace.
