Church Leader Declares Month of Prayer, Fasting for Church Land Dispute

By Jenifer James

The Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Justin Badi Arama, has declared a month of prayer and fasting in response to a church land dispute.

The conflict escalated just before the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS), led by Bishop Justin Badi Arama, began its month-long campaign of prayer and fasting. While the initiative aims to seek a spiritual resolution, events on Thursday underscored the fragility of community relations and the challenges religious institutions face in addressing legal land disputes.

A long-standing land dispute between St. Stephen Episcopal Church and the residents of Munuki Hai Gezira erupted into a violent confrontation on Thursday morning, highlighting the increasing tensions over land ownership and governance in Juba’s urban communities.

Addressing his congregation, Bishop Badi urged Christians to turn to spiritual devotion amid what he described as an unjust ruling by the Central Equatoria State government against the church’s claim to the contested land. “Since the government has decided they don’t want the church here, we have no power anymore; only God can speak for us,” he told worshippers gathered at St. Stephen Episcopal Church.

The Bishop of ECSS Justin Badi Arama and his assistant on Purple clothes leading the group of pastors in Black around St. Stephen Munuki Church (credit Jenifer James)

The bishop laid out a schedule of prayer gatherings, beginning Thursday morning and continuing on Friday and Sunday.

“We will continue these prayers until the owner of the land comes to demolish the church,” he declared. “If that happens, we will find another place to gather and continue our prayers.”

However, tensions flared during Thursday’s gathering when members of the church, many dressed in black as part of a symbolic protest, reportedly began removing fences and dismantling a structure on the contested property.

 According to Benjamin Bali Simon, chairperson of the Munuki Hai Gezira community, the incident provoked a violent reaction from residents, who responded by throwing stones at church members.

“Yesterday, we heard they were planning a peaceful protest,” Simon said. “But today, they acted as if they owned the land, tearing down structures. That’s what triggered the confrontation.”

The land dispute, now involving church, community, and government figures, highlights ongoing challenges in land administration and the role of religious institutions in South Sudan’s rapidly growing urban areas. Bishop Badi’s call for divine intervention reflects both the depth of the church’s grievance and its current lack of legal recourse.

As the prayer period continues, both church leaders and local residents remain on edge, uncertain whether the conflict will find a peaceful resolution or lead to further clashes.