The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Philip North has called on all of Lancashire to wish for South Sudan because it goes through one other period of political and social unrest.
South Sudan is liable to a latest civil war on account of rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The two men were leaders of opposing sides throughout the South Sudanese Civil War, which ran from 2013 to 2020 and value the lives of near 400,000 people.
What does all this need to do with the county of Fred Dibnah, Andrew Flintoff and Eric Morcombe? Well, Blackburn Diocese in Lancashire is linked to the Diocese of Liwolo, in South Sudan.
Bishop Joseph Aba, who heads the Diocese of Liwolo, visited Lancashire two years ago to strengthen ties between the 2 places, and told locals of the devastating impact on his flock.
Bishop Aba, in a message to his Blackburn counterpart, spoke of his determination to bring peace to his country.
“Religious leaders (like myself) aren’t going anywhere until peace and stability prevails. If we die, we die as martyrs for Christ and for the price of peace for our nation,” he said.
“By God’s grace if we live, we live for Christ and for the making of a greater nation. We are called into leadership for such a time as this.”
In response Bishop North called on all parishes and schools in Lancashire to “pray urgently for South Sudan”.
“When Bishop Joseph visited our county in 2023 he inspired us together with his profound sense of the Gospel and his passionate desire to rebuild his country spiritually and materially.
“His diocese’s return from neighbouring Uganda was just starting and this sudden risk of recent armed conflict is a latest threat to peace.
“So my appeal is that, in our churches and our schools, please pray for the people of South Sudan; for an enduring peace; for defense for Bishop Joseph and other Christian leaders and for the people and the parishes of the Diocese of Liwolo.”
