The Governor of Jonglei State, Riek Ghai Kok has kick started a dialogue among communities and believers in Bor with hope to bring to an end the church misunderstandings that has led to closure.
With hope to bring stability in the church, the newly appointed governor Riek Gai initiated dialogue between communities and believers in conflict in order to end confrontations.
According to a statement, Governor Gai held a crucial meeting with three key groups to address the ongoing conflict surrounding Langbaar B Church in Bor, one of the churches where believers are bitterly divided.
The dialogue involved Langbaar B Team Led by Rev. James Nhial Maler, Makuach Diocese Team Led by Rt. Rev. James Deng Akeer, Bishop of Makuach Diocese as well as Peace Committee Led by Bishop Henry Garang Deng Aweer.
Addressing media after the meeting Governor Gai directed the peace committee to continue with the efforts to ensure that believers are united.
He revealed that after their meeting, the representative who attended the meeting agreed to cease hostilities and embark on reconciliation.
“We leaders I meet today agreed toward unity of the people and direct the Peace Committee to continue mediation efforts to resolve the church crisis in Jonglei to ensure that believers become one like before the misunderstanding” Gai said.
The governor urged both factions to embrace peace and harmony, emphasizing that as Christians, love and unity should prevail.
Gai pledged full support to the Peace Committee, reaffirming his commitment to ending the church conflict in Bor.
“The government remains committed to ensuring lasting peace” he said
The Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) in Jonglei split in August 2020 when the Church’s Primate, Dr. Justin Badi Arama, defrocked Ruben Akurdit accusing him of canonical disobedience after the latter rejected his suspension over the unilateral creation of dioceses in the province a year earlier.
The embattled Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan’s (ECSS) Jonglei Internal Province, Ruben Akurditlater return to Bor town where he resumed work months after his expulsion over security concerns.
From that time till now, the believers remain divided with between those supporting defrocked Bishop Ruben Akurditwith others supporting Mose Anur Ayom who was appointed by primate Dr. Justin Badi Arama.
The division continue to worsen year and year leading to closure of some churches in the state after threat of violent.
This meeting followed detention of four suspects for re-opening a disputed Church which was closed by government, two years ago.
Over the weekend, the youth at Langbaar B Church defied the order and forcefully re-opened the Church in order to celebrate Easter.
In 2021, the Archbishop of Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Dr. Badi Arama defrocked Bishop Akurdit Ngong, the former bishop of Jonglei internal province, replacing him with Bishop Moses Anuur Akuot.
However, the changes were met with resistance from the defrocked Bishop Akurdit, leading to Wrangles and unrest in ECS leadership in Bor.
