By Peter Kuol Kuch
Police in Bor, Jonglei State, have detained four suspects for re-opening a disputed Church which was closed by government, two years ago.
A Church belonging to Episcopal Church of South Sudan ECSS was in 2023, closed over a Church wrangle among ECSS top Bishops.
However, over the weekend, the youth at Langbaar B Church defied the order and forcefully re-opened the Church in order to celebrate Easter.
Jonglei State police spokesperson, 1st Lt. James Akech, says that officers stepped in to contain a rising tension among worshipers. They reclosed the Church in order to deter violence.
“On Friday toward, the youth of Langaar B Church stormed the closed church and forcefully opened the door that was welded. They broke in. The Church had been closed down for the last two years but they have not been happy,’’ the police spokesperson said.
1st Lt. Akech said the suspects are being investigated and would be send to court after investigations are compete.
Mr. Akech said that the disputed Church would remain close until Leadership wrangles are forever resolved among the bishops.
“We caught some suspects through some primary investigation over the incident. The Church has been closed, the government is not ready to open it until permanent peace resolution has been guaranteed,’’ he stressed.
He added that the Police have deployed heavily at the scene in order to ensure safety during Easter festival.
“The forces are yet deployed, some have been stationed at the disputed closed church and others do patrol in the town to ensure proper protection in the town,” 1st Lt. Akech added.
In 2021, the Archbishop of Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Dr. Badi Arama defrocked Bishop Akurdit Ngong, the former bishop of Jonglei internal province, replacing him with Bishop Anuur Akuot. However, the changes were met with resistance from the defrocked Bishop Akurdit, leading to Wrangles and unrest in ECS leadership in Bor.