By Charles K Mark
His Eminence Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, who returned from Rome after being consecrated a Cardinal, called on the government and church to complement each other.
Cardinal Ameyu, while addressing the congregation upon touching down at Juba International Airport on Monday, said there are a number of activities that the church can do alongside the government.
But for things to materialize, the prelate stressed a crucial need for genuine peace.
He noted that true peace can be attained through forgiveness and the love of God, which surpasses all other kinds of love.
“Today is the chance that each and every one of us should look at his or her own heart and say, my dear brother, I have forgiven you from the bottom of my heart,” Amuyu said.
The Cardinal underscored that it is only through forgiveness that South Sudanese will act maturely for the Church to stand strong.
“So, my dear people of God, we are a nation that is regarded as warmongers. Why? Because we have been fighting all these 50 years without any turning back and saying let us forgive one another,” the Cardinal reminded.
Dr. Ameyu explained that for South Sudan to reach this far, it was not an individual effort but God’s power.
“It is not the work of anybody, but it is the work of God. If today we have gathered together, it is because God has put to us and put in us his love,” Ameyu said.
He reiterated that as the first country after eleven years to have a cardinal, the country and its people must have a great moment to reflect on God.
He lamented that it was the same grace of God that touched the heart of the Holy Father, who visited the country in February and saw the hope the people desired.
“And that faith, the Holy Father has seen it together; as we come together in order to remember this day, the day of this warm reception, let us put God ahead of us,” Cardinal Ameyu emphasized.
He urged citizens to not only work for peace by silencing guns but also for the peace of Christ, which brings unity and accepts each other as brothers and sisters.
“God has given us this nation so that we can also be people who have a history—a history that has been spent in bloodshed,” the Catholic prelate hinted.
He said God is opening a new page for South Sudanese to work in unity in order to build up relationships that extend to all, not just the few.
“We are citizens before Christ altogether. God has put us in this nation, and we must build it together,” he urged.
His Eminence Ameyu said the church and the government can work together to complement one another.
“There are fields in which we can participate together in education, in making peace, and in all other fields, we can work together in order to build this country,” he added.