Cardinal in South Sudan Urges Pastoral Agents to Foster “spirit of inclusivity, understanding, respect for one another”

Pastoral agents in the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba in South Sudan have been urged to foster a spirit of inclusivity, understanding and respect for one another in their respective duties.

Addressing the agents during the Archdiocesan Patoral Council, Stephen Cardinal Ameyu Mulla said it was important for them to embrace their diversity recognizing that it is a gift that enriches the community and strengthens the people’s witness to the gospel.

“It is through our collective effort and shared commitment to collaboration that we can truly embody the spirit of Christian fellowship and solidarity,” Cardinal Mulla said during the Tuesday, May 28 event that was held under the theme “One body and one spirit in Christ.”

He added, “Unity does not mean uniformity. Rather, it calls us to embrace our diversity differences, recognizing them as a gift that enriches our community and strengthen our witness to the gospel.”

The South Sudanese Catholic Church leader, who was of the three Africans created Cardinals during the 30 September 2023 Consistory in Rome said, “By fostering a spirit of inclusivity, understanding and respect for one another, we can build bridges and transcend barriers that bring us closer together as one body of Christ.”

The South Sudanese Cardinal further explained, “Collaboration, on the other hand, enables us to pull out talents, resources and energies towards a common goal, the advancement of the kingdom of God here on earth.”

“When we work together in harmony and mutual support, we amplify the impact of our collective efforts, spreading the message of love, justice and peace to all corners of this Archdiocese of Juba,” the Local Ordinary of Juba who also serves as the President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) said.

He called on pastoral agents in Juba Archdiocese to “renew our commitment to fostering unity and collaboration within our Catholic community.”

“Let us seek ways to bridge divides, heal wounds and build relationships and bless our endeavors as we seek to foster unity and collaboration within the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba in this year,” the Cardinal whose transfer from Torit Diocese to Juba Archdiocese in December 2019 was met with resistance from a section of the Clergy and Laity of South Sudan’s only Metropolitan See said.

The South Sudanese Cardinal continued, “Together, let us be the light that shines brightly in the darkness, bringing hope, healing and reconciliation to all whom we encounter.”

He thanked pastoral agents for their “presence, dedication and commitment to our shared journey in faith in this archdiocese.”

“May God bless our meeting and our deliberations and our collective efforts to build a more united and collective economy, a collaborative community of believers in the change of Christ in this Archdiocese,” Cardinal Mulla said.

Credits to: Jude Atemanke for ACIAFRICA

Photo credits: AMECEA Social Communications