---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 7:35 PM Subject: [sudans-john-ashworth] SSCC STATEMENT OF CONCERN To: Group <[email protected]>
SOUTH SUDAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 10TH JULY 2016 STATEMENT OF CONCERN REGARDING INSECURITY [also attached] Yahweh puts an end to wars over the whole wide world, he breaks the bow, he snaps the spear, shields he burns in the fire. Be still and acknowledge that I am God, supreme over nations, supreme over the world. (Psalm 46: 9-10) We, the leaders of the Church in South Sudan, are extremely disturbed about the fatal shootings which occurred in Juba on the evenings of 7th and 8th July 2016 and the morning of 10th July. We make no judgement as to how or why they occurred, nor who is to blame, but we note with concern that there have been a number of incidents recently, and that tension is increasing. We condemn all acts of violence without exception. The time for carrying and using weapons has ended; now is the time to build a peaceful nation. We pray for those who have been killed, and for their families, and we ask God's forgiveness for those who have done the killing. However we also urge repentance and a firm commitment from all armed individuals, forces and communities, and from their leaders, to create an atmosphere where violence is not an option. We are encouraged by the statements from both President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar calling for calm. We add our voices to theirs, and urge soldiers and civilians to refrain from provocative words and actions, and to do everything in their power to avoid escalating the situation. We also note with concern that such killings are not confined to Juba. A team from SSCC has just returned from Wau after a pastoral visit to show solidarity with the people there, and we cannot forget the recent killing of our missionary Sister Dr Veronika in Yei only two months ago, as well as many other cases which are so common that they pass almost unnoticed. We assure you of our prayers during these difficult times, and once again callf for calm and hope. May God bless you. [THIS MESSAGE WAS READ ON THE RADIO TODAY 10TH JULY 2016 BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF SOUTH SUDAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES WITH THE APPROVAL OF CHURCH LEADERS BUT DUE TO INSECURITY IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO PRINT IT ON SSCC LETTERHEAD NOR TO GET PHYSICAL SIGNATURES OF CHURCH LEADERS] END ______________________ John Ashworth [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +211 919 695 362 (South Sudan mobile) +27 79 832 8834 (South Africa mobile) +44 787 976 8030 (UK mobile) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, John Ashworth is not the author of the content and the source is always cited. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sudan-john-ashworth" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.za/group/sudan-john-ashworth --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sudans-john-ashworth" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/sudans-john-ashworth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/southsudankob View this message at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/southsudankob/topic-id/message-id For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14ormP0U%3DJcSWo9o6QRkDbLceaLNwKAaSU%2BG45caoiPN8Dw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
sscc_juba_statement_july2016_v3.docx
Description: MS-Word 2007 document
