Top Vatican Cardinal to visit returnees and refugees in Upper Nile state

The Catholic Church in Juba on Saturday received His Eminence Cardinal Michael Cardinal Czerny, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development at the Vatican
Cardinal Michael Cardinal Czerny (2nd-Left) being received by Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin.

By Awan Achiek

The Catholic Church in Juba on Saturday received His Eminence Cardinal Michael Cardinal Czerny, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development at the Vatican.

Cardinal Michael, who is on seven-day solidarity visit to South Sudan was received at Juba International Airport by Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin, Bishops of the Catholic Church including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management  Albino Akol Atak.

His visit coincides with the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ historic ecumenical pilgrimage to South Sudan in February 2023.

Upon arrival, Cardinal Czerny took part in a Solemn Holy Mass at St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba, presided over by Archbishop Stephen Ameyu commemorating the Pope’s visit.

On Sunday, His Eminence presided over a mass at the same cathedral.

He is also expected to meet on Monday with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Albino Akol. Czerny will on Tuesday travel to Malakal and Renk to visit refugees and returnees who fled ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin said that Czerny together with other religious leaders will also visit Malakal Diocese.

“His visit is a solidarity visit to the church in South Sudan and he would like to also travel to border area of Malakal and Renk in order to see the situation of the refugees and returnees,” Ameyu said.

Ameyu urged the faithful to embrace peace and reconciliation.                                              

“I really want all our faithful of our Diocese to recall the visit of the Holy Father, and to recall also the messages that he spoke off and among many messages is peace and reconciliation,” he said.

“We would like people to really remind themselves about this important need that we need and all of us, we need to reconcile. We need peace in our country,” Ameyu added.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *