Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Fr. Roko Taban Musa as a new administrator for the catholic diocese of Malakal

From Sudan Radio Service, 18 May 2009:

(Khartoum) - Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the vicar-general of the catholic archdiocese of Khartoum, Fr. Roko Taban Musa, as a new administrator for the catholic diocese of Malakal on Saturday

 

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service in Khartoum shortly after his appointment, Fr. Roko condemned the recent spate of tribal clashes in southern Sudan.

 

[Fr. Roko Taban]: “Will people be able to harvest a greater thing for the benefit of mankind as a result of killing one another? Surely no, what should we do so that all these confusions and misunderstandings be brought to an end? I think as a church leader and the fact that, that region falls within my territory, I will always try my best to invite people to forget the past and to forgive one another and to begin anew because living a life of tribalism, of killing one another will never bring any progress to any part of the southern region or any part of Sudan. The time has come to stop all these issues and to begin to walk in the new direction, a direction that will really bring joy, peace, tranquility and serenity  to our children and to all people who live in that region.”

 

The appointment of Fr. Roko Taban came following the resignation of the bishop of Malakal diocese, Vincent Mojwok Nyiker, who retired on Saturday at the age of 76.

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From Vatican Radio, 18 May 2009:
Getting Back into Darfur

(18 May 09 - RV) A Sudanese rebel leader has turned himself in to the International Criminal Court to face war crimes charges today for an attack that killed 12 African Union peacekeepers in Darfur in September 2007.

Bahr Idriss Abu Garda is one of three suspects in the case _ the only case prosecutors have launched against rebels in Sudan's Darfur conflict.

The Head of Campaigns at the Aegis Trust, Nick Donovan, spoke with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels about the significance of the trial.