Report from Catholic Leader, Australia
Wednesday 26 April 2023 - full copy:
Pope Francis appeals for end to violence in Sudan
Prayers: Pope Francis. Photo: CN
POPE Francis has appealed for an end to violence in Sudan and a return to dialogue.
“I invite everyone to pray for our Sudanese brothers and sisters,” he said after reciting the midday Regina Coeli prayer with people gathered in St Peter’s Square on April 23.
The Pope had already expressed his concern about Sudan after the midday prayer on April 16; fighting between forces loyal to two different generals has led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians since April 13.
The power struggle has brought violence, shootings and bombings to the capital Khartoum and elsewhere.
Electricity, internet and access to food and water have been cut off for many of the people.
“Unfortunately, the situation in Sudan remains grave, and therefore I renew my appeal for an end to the violence as soon as possible and for a return to the path of dialogue,” Pope Francis said.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported April 20 that between 10,000 and 20,000 people had fled Sudan’s western Darfur region in the previous few days and sought refuge in neighboring Chad, which already hosts more than 370,000 Sudanese refugees.
“The majority of those arriving are women and children, who are currently sheltering out in the open,” it said in a press release.
“The initial most pressing needs are water, food, shelter, health care, child protection and prevention of gender-based violence. Due to the violence experienced by those crossing the border, psychosocial support is also among our top priorities.”
Meanwhile, Priest and Church workers are among civilians fearing for their lives as armed forces struggle for control of key installations in Sudan’s capital.
Kinga von Schierstaedt, from Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, spoke with one of the charity’s project partners in Khartoum – near to an area held by the Rapid Support Forces , the state-backed paramilitary group fighting with government troops.
Mrs von Schierstaedt stressed that all civilians were being affected by the conflict.
“The Catholic Church in Sudan is very small, as over 95 per cent of the population is Muslim. As this is not an ideological or religious conflict, all citizens are equally affected. Believers, priests and religious are unable to leave their houses.
Mass on Sunday has been stopped, and priests are no longer celebrating daily Mass in the church. In the crisis zones the life of faith continues only in people’s houses,” she said.
“Many people are leaving the inner-city areas where the shooting is taking place.
“Besides that, some of them lack electricity, and the water they need to survive, so they are fleeing to friends and relatives, mostly outside the city.
“We don’t yet have any reports of big waves of refugees or refugee camps, but there is certainly a flight from the cities.”
OSV/Zenit
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