By Yiep Joseph
At least 20 priests from the Internal Province of Episcopal Church of South Sudan in Amadi in Western Equatoria State have been suspended.
The Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS), Archbishop Justin Badi Arama, issued an order suspending the 20 priests affiliated with the Internal Province of Amadi from carrying out any pastoral duties within the Episcopal Diocese of Juba.
The order, dated May 29, 2025, and titled “Suspension of unlicensed priests from causing disturbances,” cites the need for constitutional and canonical clarity as the primary reason for the decision.
According to the order, the suspension will remain in effect until the Diocesan Tribunal receives a satisfactory explanation following an investigation.
“The presence and activities of these clergy have raised constitutional and pastoral concerns within the Diocese,” the letter reads in part. “Until their actions are clarified in accordance with church law, they are hereby suspended from any clerical functions within the Diocese of Juba,” it continued.
The suspended clergy include 14 priests from Lui Diocese, two from Mundri, and one each from Wandi, Yeri, Uganda, and Malakal.
The full list of names has been made available and circulated among all Diocesan Bishops of the Internal Province of Amadi, as well as to parish priests serving Moru-speaking congregations in Juba, to ensure the order is implemented.
Those suspended include, to mention a few, Rev. Isaac Oneil Yosia, Rev. Henry Menosona, and Rev. Elisapa Badigo.
According to online reports, the reason for the clergy’s suspension is connected to a recent letter authored by a group of Moru pastors calling for the revival of the Moru Congregation.
The letter, which has circulated among ECSS clergy, reportedly calls for the revival of the Moru congregation, an entity that was dissolved in 2008 under the leadership of the then Archbishop, the Most Revd. Daniel Deng Bul.
The move to reinstate the Moru congregation has sparked renewed debate within church circles.
Critics view the initiative as a challenge to the church’s unified governance structure and a potential reawakening of ethnic divisions within the institution.
The Moru congregation, historically rooted in a specific ethnic community, has long been a sensitive topic in church politics.
According to the Primate, the suspended priests are suspected of creating division by initiating and supporting congregations based on specific communities.
The Primate urged church leaders to cease involvement in divisive activities and instead focus on peace.