Sudan’s bishops continue efforts for peace
January 05, 2011
Amid international concerns that bloodshed could follow southern Sudan’s January 9 referendum on independence, the nation’s bishops are continuing to pray for a peaceful outcome. Archbishop Paolino Loro of Juba announced that the bishops’ “101 Days of Prayer for Peace” campaign will continue for a week after the election.
Two million lost their lives in the long Sudanese civil war (1983-2005) between the Muslim north and the largely animist and Christian south. The civil war ended when President Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir-- who came to power in a 1989 military coup-- granted the south limited autonomy and agreed to the 2011 referendum.
15% of the nation’s 38.2 million people are Catholic, according to Vatican statistics; 70% are Sunni Muslim.
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Further information:
- The Church multiplies initiatives for the peaceful conduct of the referendum on 9 January (Fides)
- Pray, advocate for peace in Sudan, urges Catholic Relief Services (CWN, 9/27/10)
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