By Bida Elly David
The government has showed commitment to develop and renovate faith based institutions such as churches and Mosques in the Country as an initiative to create a conducive environment of worship to Godly congregants.
This came following a courtesy visit by the Minister of Presidential Affairs Barnaba Marial Benjamin to some churches around Juba in order to acquaint himself with the progress and process through which renovations could be done.
The idea came as directives from President Salva Kiir to oversee that the spoiled structures of some churches and mosques in the country are renovated and fixed to create a holy and conducive area to the faithful.
Most church structures in South Sudan have been laid and established by the British missionaries who vowed to proclaim the word of the living God to their people and most of the temples have existed for many years without being renovated due to high financial costs that some churches could not afford.
In several occasions, most faith based institutions rely on the church collections, tithe and contributions from the congregation for renovating their worship temples but due to charitable activities, they could not meet the cost of establishing or renovating the houses of God.
Speaking at the site over the weekend the Presidential Affairs’ Minister Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, stated that President Kiir was keen on rendering assistance to churches and mosques with a view of strengthening and promoting the freedom of worship and religion for the people of South Sudan.
“President Salva Kiir is very interested to assist most Churches and Mosques in the Country through development. The ongoing renovation of the churches is of great significance since South Sudan is expecting to receive special guests from Vatican. The adjourned coming of Pope Francis in South Sudan is being worked on by the government and therefore we have to ensure that all Churches and Mosques are in good shapes,” Dr. Marial underscored.
In addition, the Minister expressed his gratitude to the President for his tremendous contribution to the faith based institutions and described the work done as divine support and empowerment.
On their part, the church leaders at the site expressed their gratitude to the President for having advanced contribution to the churches so that the congregation can worship in holy and conducive environment without any passive impact.
The church leaders urged the President to progressively enhance the church towards affirmative development.
His Grace Stephen Martin Ameyo, the metropolitan Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba thanked the government for the charity and called for more support to be rendered to the people of God.