As the world watches South Sudan, the Rev. Jesse Zink has been writing about the deeper context behind the conflict, and the church’s role in the new country’s history.
He writes:
Bishop Nathaniel’s successor, Ruben Akurdit Ngong, is reported to be in the UN compound just outside Bor. He, along with an unknown—but large—number of other people are seeking refuge there. Again, this is what bishops in this part of the country do. They go to where the people are and stay with them. During the civil war, some bishops were forced to seek refuge in Juba, Khartoum, or abroad. I once asked Nathaniel Garang why he went into the bush with his people, rather than to a city. He looked at me like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world: “Because I was there with the people. If I leave them, the church would not happen. My staying with the people, that’s how they received the gospel.”
For more, his entire blog post is here.
Just today, the Archbishop of Canterbury has added his voice to those calling for peace and reconciliation. His statement is here .