Sudan Christians may benefit from new accord

From Sudan-

A new power-sharing agreement to establish civilian rule in Sudan is potentially good news for persecuted Christians there, religious liberty watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) said.

“This could very well be a historic change for the country of Sudan and for its suffering Christian population,” Nathan Johnson, ICC regional manager for Africa, said in a press release. “If the new constitution does not guarantee freedom of religion for all, removing sharia as the guiding force, I fear that Christians will continue to live under tyranny and persecution.”

Christians, long persecuted in Sudan, have suffered during months of protests to establish civilian rule after the April ouster of dictatorial President Omar al-Bashir, a Khartoum pastor told ICC.

“The civil protests have really affected the church socially, emotionally and financially,” ICC quoted the pastor who requested anonymity. “We have been tied for months because of the running battles, extrajudicial killings, failed peace talks, and many people, including our church members, must skip work due to instability.”

More here-

https://brnow.org/News/July-2019/Sudan-Christians-may-benefit-from-new-accord

At retreat for South Sudan leaders, pope literally begs for peace

From Catholic Philly-

The retreat was the idea of Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, who attended the final part of the gathering. He and Pope Francis have been supporting the peace efforts of the South Sudan Council of Churches and, the pope said again April 11, they hope to visit South Sudan together when there is peace.

Pope Francis told the politicians and members of the Council of Churches that “peace” was the first word Jesus said to his disciples after the resurrection.

“Peace is the first gift that the Lord brought us, and the first commitment that leaders of nations must pursue,” he told them. “Peace is the fundamental condition for ensuring the rights of each individual and the integral development of an entire people.”

More here-

http://catholicphilly.com/2019/04/news/world-news/at-retreat-for-south-sudan-leaders-pope-literally-begs-for-peace/

Facing Torture, Death in Sudan, Convert Flees to Egypt—Only to Receive More Death Threats

From Christian News Network-

“I started to read by myself, comparing the Bible with the Koran, and found that something must be wrong with the God of the Koran who incites Muslim to kill in his name,” he said. “I wondered what kind of God is that, and then one day Jesus appeared to me at night with a very bright light. I was afraid, but He told me not to fear.”

By 2007, his family and friends began abandoning him after noting he had stopped fasting during Ramadan and saying Islamic prayers. He said he discovered that God cares more about the inner heart than ritual obligations.

In 2014 Osman took a train from Khartoum north to Halfa, just over the Egyptian side of the border. From there he managed to avoid arrest by traveling on the Nile River to Aswan in southern Egypt and eventually made it to Cairo.

He worked odd jobs living with Sudanese friends, but when they discovered that he was a Christian, they ordered him to leave, he said. In December 2016, Osman was baptized in the Episcopal Church in Egypt.

More here-

https://christiannews.net/2019/01/21/facing-torture-death-in-sudan-convert-flees-to-egypt-only-to-receive-more-death-threats/

Anglican AB Welby concludes Visit to Uganda and Sudan

From Sudan-

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Wednesday concluded a visit to East Africa which could help pave the way for a joint peace mission to South Sudan with Pope Francis.

The archbishop has spent five days in Uganda and Sudan, meeting with both religious and government leaders. In Khartoum he preached at a service marking the inauguration of the 39th province of the Anglican Communion. The new independent province of Sudan marks the culmination of a process that began after South Sudan, where the majority of Christians in the region are located, gained independence from its northern neighbour in 2011.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis said he hoped to go on a joint visit to South Sudan with Archbishop Welby, but the planned trip was postponed because of an upsurge in the civil war that erupted in 2013.

Among those accompanying the Anglican leader on this week’s journey was Bishop Nick Baines of the northern English diocese of Leeds. Philippa Hitchen asked him about the visit and about the chances of a joint peace mission by the Catholic and Anglican leaders to war-torn South Sudan.
Bishop Baines notes that after the independence of South Sudan, an internal province was created and that has now become the autonomous province of Sudan, under the leadership of Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo.

He says there are five dioceses in the new province, with the majority of Christians in Khartoum. The four other dioceses have a lot of South Sudanese refugees, especially Kadugli in the contended zone around the Nuba Mountains, where the bishops travelled under heavy security on Saturday.

More here-

http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/index.php/new-posts/reports/9155-anglican-ab-welby-concludes-visit-to-uganda-and-sudan

Archbishop of Canterbury speaks ‘strongly’ to Sudan President of religious freedom for Christians

From World Watch-

The advent of the world’s newest country, South Sudan, in 2011 has not been without its impact. Not only has it spawned a civil war and one of the world’s biggest current humanitarian crises, but also the need for a new Province in the global Anglican Communion. This weekend, the Archbishop of Canterbury was in Khartoum to inaugurate the Communion’s 39th Province, that of Sudan.

Previously, after independence, the Anglican Province of Sudan and South Sudan had been headquartered in South Sudan, where the majority of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Sudan’s (ECS) four and a half million members live. South Sudan has since been wracked by civil war along first political, then tribal lines, and it was also difficult for a Primate based in a neighbouring country to oversee the Church in Sudan.

More here-

https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2017/07/archbishop-of-canterbury-speaks-strongly-to-sudan-president-of-religious-freedom-for-christians/

Archbishop of Canterbury declares Sudan new Anglican province

From Sudan-

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on Sunday declared Sudan the 39th province of the worldwide Anglican Communion, six years after the predominantly Christian south gained independence from the north.

The Anglican church in Sudan, a majority Muslim country, has been administered from South Sudan since the 2011 split which followed a civil war that left more than 2 million people dead.

Sunday’s ceremony in Khartoum added Sudan to the 85 million-strong worldwide Anglican communion’s 38 member churches – known as provinces – and six other branches known as extra provincials.

Welby said that creating a 39th Anglican province with its own Khartoum-based archbishop was a “new beginning” for Christians in Sudan.

More here-

http://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/2104746/archbishop-canterbury-declares-sudan-new-anglican-province

also here-

http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/31/muslim-majority-sudan-declared-39th-province-of-global-anglican-church/

Hope for Sudan as Archbishop of Canterbury inaugurates new Anglican province

From Christian Today-

The Archbishop of Canterbury will inaugurate the 39th province of the worldwide Anglican Communion at a service in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, on Sunday. Archbishop Justin Welby will also visit Uganda, home to many hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled violence in the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.

The Anglican church in Sudan has until now been administered from Juba, the capital of South Sudan, which is the world's newest country and which is predominantly Christian.

The new province, formed out of what was previously called the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan.  will be led by the Archbishop of Sunday and Bishop of the Diocese of Khartoum, Ezekiel Kondo.

Sudan is predominantly Muslim and there are restrictions on Christian activity, such as a ban on the building of any new churches. At least five Sudanese Christians were killed last year alone and 12 imprisoned for their faith, according to Open Doors.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/hope.for.sudan.as.archbishop.of.canterbury.inaugurates.new.anglican.province/111113.htm

Religious leaders call for inclusive dialogue to end South Sudan conflict

From Sudan-

“Without a doubt, the swearing in of the members of the dialogue being organised by the government will mark the beginning of a long march together. Hand in hand, Christians and Muslims looking in the same direction in order to eradicate violence, suspicious, mistrust and hatred,” said Isaac Dhieu, the Episcopal Bishop of Akot diocese.

The conference “will not only strengthen the brotherhood and sisterhood for our citizens, but it will also help to boost the momentum that we support as custodians of the divine law,” he added.

The Bishop denounced the voices that advocate war and glorify violence in the name of reforms.

Last Thursday, the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said the dialogue will kick off its works soon without the opposition figures who declined their appointment.

More here-

http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article62513

Pastors Arrested And Churches Set For Demolition As Persecution Increases In Sudan

From Christian Today-

Six Christians were jailed in Sudan last week for refusing to hand over church property to the government, persecution charity Open Doors reports.

The three pastors and three church members were arrested and briefly detained on 6 October in the town of Wad Medani when they refused to hand over a school run by their evangelical church.

"While in custody, they were questioned by police over the reasons for disobeying the orders. They were released on bail later the same day. It is not clear if further legal action is planned," a source told Open Doors.

Five other churches – three belonging to the Sudan Church of Christ, one to the Presbyterian Church and the other to the Episcopal Church – have been told their buildings will be demolished.

Open Doors' source said officials told churches "their land had been assigned for investment".

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pastors.arrested.and.churches.set.for.demolition.as.persecution.increases.in.sudan/97717.htm

Episcopal Church province inaugurated in W. Equatoria state

From Sudan-

The Arch-bishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan has inaugurated the new internal province and it’s Archbishop in Yambio in charge of Western Equatoria state.

Adressing the press after the elections were concluded, Daniel Deng Bol said Peter Munde Yakob, the former Diocesan Bishop of Yambio diocese was unanimously elected to be the Arch-bishop for the new created internal province of Western Equatoria, which comprises of Bar-el-Oro, Maridi, Ibba, Yambio Nzara and Ezo dioceses.

Deng stated that during the 2011 provincial meeting in Juba, the committee resolved that there should be internal provinces in South Sudan and Sudan in order to easy work load from the overall Arch-bishop who is based in Juba.

10 members from each diocese converged in Yambio to be voted during the election.

More here-

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article60495

For Lost Boy of Sudan, faith carried him from civil war to path to Episcopal priesthood

From AP-

A man who was one of thousands of children in Sudan forced to flee or be inducted into the army during the country's civil war was ordained recently as a deacon by the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.

For Gabriel Garang Atem, 36, the achievement marked another step on a long road where his faith has sustained him as he navigated the dangers of a war in Sudan, famine and life in refugee camps.

As an orphan in 1987, he and thousands of other young children were forced to flee Sudan on foot to Ethiopia.

Thousands of the children, mostly boys, lost their lives as they faced attacks from rebels and wild animals, drowned in rivers, or succumbed to malnourishment, dehydration and exposure to the elements.

More here-

http://www.startribune.com/sudan-refugee-ordained-as-episcopal-deacon-in-utah/361723371/

Lost Boy of Sudan ordained as deacon by Episcopal Diocese of Utah

From Salt Lake-

At an age most boys spend their days at play or in school, Gabriel Garang Atem was running for his life.

It was 1987 and civil war had forced him and thousands of other Sudanese children, mostly young boys, to flee Sudan on foot to Ethiopia to escape death or induction into the northern army.

After being orphaned or otherwise separated from their families, some 20,000 Sudanese boys endured unthinkable dangers — attacks from wild animals, drowning in rivers and rebel attacks. On top of that, they were malnourished, dehydrated and were constantly exposed to the elements. Thousands were killed or died.

More here-

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643129/Lost-Boy-of-Sudan-ordained-as-deacon-by-Episcopal-Diocese-of-Utah.html?pg=all

South Sudanese pastors freed from Khartoum prison

From The Church Times-

TWO South Sudanese priests who had been under threat of the death penalty were released from prison in Khartoum on Wednesday.

Yat Michael and Peter Reith, both from the South Sudanese Evan­gelical Presbyterian Church, faced at least six charges, including under­mining the constitutional sys­tem, espionage, promoting hatred among sects, breach of public peace, and crimes relating to insulting religious beliefs (News, 29 May). The first two offences carry the death penalty or life imprison­ment.

At a court hearing on Wednes­day, Mr Michael was convicted of inciting hatred, and Mr Reith of breaching public peace. Both were released on the basis of time already served. 

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/7-august/news/world/south-sudanese-pastors-freed-from-khartoum-prison

Celebrations in Sudan As New Internal Provincial Archbishop Enthroned

From All Africa-

The first Archbishop of the new internal province of Sudan has been enthroned during a major celebration service in Khartoum's All Saints Cathedral. Up to 10,000 worshippers saw the Most Revd Ezekiel Kumir Kondo, Bishop of Khartoum, take on the new role.

In 2013, the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan decided it wanted to remain as one church despite the independence of South Sunday in 2011. It renamed itself the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan; and created an internal province for the dioceses in Sudan.

The original province has grown from four dioceses in 1976, when it first became an independent province of the Anglican Communion, to 31 dioceses today.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201407290199.html

Meriam Ibrahim freed again but future still unsure

From The Church Times-

ON SUNDAY, Meriam Ibrahim was in jail in Khartoum, in Sudan, facing the death penalty for apostasy.

On Monday, she was free, after the Sudan court of appeal overturned her original sentence.

On Tuesday, however, she was detained at Khartoum airport by up to 40 agents from the Sudanese security service, as she tried to leave the country with her husband, Daniel Wani, and two children, for the United States, where Mr Wani has citizenship.

But, by Thursday, she had been freed again, and was safely ensconced in the US embassy in Khartoum.

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/27-june/news/world/meriam-ibrahim-freed-again-but-future-still-unsure

Outcry over death sentence for Christian’s ‘apostasy’

From The Church Times-

THERE has been worldwide condemnation after a Sudanese woman was sentenced to death after being convicted of apostasy.

Meriam Ibrahim, aged 26, was convicted on 11 May, but given four days to reconvert to Islam and escape the death penalty. Mrs Ibrahim, however, who is pregnant, denied that she had ever been a Muslim. The court has postponed her sentence until her child has been born.

She has also been sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery: the sharia court did not recognise her marriage to her Christian husband as legitimate, as it considers her a Muslim.

The death sentence has been denounced by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey. Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said: "Isn't there something fundamentally wrong with Islam at its core that it cannot allow people to change their religion? Moderate Muslims . . . have to say enough is enough."

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/23-may/news/uk/outcry-over-death-sentence-for-christian’s-‘apostasy’

Statement from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

From Anglican News-

Following the sentencing to death of a pregnant Sudanese woman for refusing to abandon her Christian faith, the Anglican Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia are calling on all people of good-will to raise their voices in protest.

Archbishops Brown Turei, Philip Richardson, and Winston Halapua, say it is hard to find words to describe the plight of the woman. The Archbishops believe people across all faiths, who seek charity, love, and justice, will find the court’s decision hateful and heartless

Meriam Ibrahim and her Christian husband were married in 2011. They have an 18-month-old son. A court, in the Sudan capital of Khartoum, has sentenced Meriam to flogging for marrying a non-Muslim and to death for abandoning the Muslim faith for Christianity.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/05/statement-from-the-anglican-church-in-aotearoa,-new-zealand-and-polynesia.aspx

Anglican Bishop follows his fleeing flock across Africa

From Anglican News-

A bishop in Sudan has bemoaned the worsening war situation in his country. He said the continuing air bombardment on civilians and lack of humanitarian aid has increased the immigration of people from his diocese to neighbouring countries.

Bishop of Kadugli Diocese, the Rt Revd Andudu Adam Elnail said this in a report to highlight activities of “pastoral, administrative work and participation in peace talks between the Government of Sudan and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in North".

No safe haven for immigrants

More than 200,000 Nuba People had sought refuge in the Republic of South Sudan only to find themselves in another war torn area. “Many got confused and traumatized and some ran back to the war zone areas in the Nuba Mountains preferring to die in their home land,” reported Bishop Andudu.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/04/sudan-anglican-bishop-follows-his-fleeing-flock-across-africa.aspx

Church sends memo to US President, Congress on South Sudan crisis

From ENS-

A Jan. 10 memo to the Obama Administration and members of U.S. Congress sent by the Episcopal Church’s Washington, D.C.-based Office of Government Relations outlines the current crisis in South Sudan and makes recommendations urging the government and the international community to partner with South Sudanese civic and faith leaders to stem the tide of violence and build peace.

The six-page memo, based on the firsthand accounts of church leaders on the ground in South Sudan and Episcopal and Anglican partners worldwide, conveys the church’s understanding of the current crisis that has engulfed the world’s newest nation. The memo touches on four areas specifically: public representation of the conflict and accountability; foreign assistance; human rights protection and the prevention of mass atrocities; and building a future of peace.

“Episcopalians in the United States and around the world have maintained long and close relationships with Episcopalians in South Sudan,” said Alexander Baumgarten, director of government relations for the Episcopal Church.   “As a result, we have a responsibility to share the unique and compelling perspectives of partners in South Sudan who are playing a peacemaking role in the midst of extraordinary upheaval and violence.”

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/01/13/church-sends-memo-to-us-president-congress-on-south-sudan-crisis/

South Sudan: Anglican Communion Responds to South Sudan Crisis

From All Africa-

Anglicans and Episcopalians around the Communion are responding to first-hand accounts of conflict and the growing humanitarian crisis in Africa's newest country, South Sudan.

Since hostilities broke out on 15 December different factions of the South Sudanese army have been fighting each other and killing civilians, says the UN. The UN believes that thousands have been killed and as many as 180,000 displaced in the violence.

Eye witness accounts of the conflict shared by clergy from the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSSS) over the past few weeks have fuelled calls for prayers and support for the beleaguered country. 'It's a war zone'

The most disturbing reports came from the Bishop of Bor Ruben Akurdit Ngong, now in Juba, who spoke to several media outlets about the sitution in the town.

In a recent BBC interview he described it as "really terrible, it's horrible. You cannot even describe it.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201401062597.html