---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 7:37 PM Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Diocese of Torit Clears Air on Reconstruction of Cathedral To: Group <[email protected]>
1. IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE - Catholic Diocese of Torit - Released on 3'd November 2012 Muslim students contributing for reconstruction of Torit Catholic Cathedral Discussions have been going on recently about the reconstruction of Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Torit. Most of the comments and opinions expressed by public denote that there are very mixed and contrasting feelings on the air. The cause of all this can be attributed to the fact that most people don't have clear understanding of the whole story. The Diocese of Torit, hence, issues this press release with the aim of explaining to the public how the issue of the Cathedral originated and what step has been taken in regard. A year ago, a group of Muslim students frorn Darfur met Bishop of Torit, Msgr. Akio Johnson Mutek, declaring their intention to help reconstruct the Chapel of Kimotong Parish and the Cathedral of Torit. They said the gesture was in recognition and appreciation of what Lopez Lomong, an athlete and activist, was doing for Darfur. In fact, Lomong stood as a member in "Team Darfur" at the Beijing Olympics, calling upon the International Community to help stop the aerial bombardments of Darfur civilians by Khartoum government. The students stated clearly that their intention to reconstruct those Church was a sign of appreciation and an effort to promote reconciliation and harmony among Christians and Muslims in Eastern Equatoria State (EES). Bishop Akio hailed the students' intention and assured them that he would make wide consultations before reaching any conclusion. To this effect, the Bishop shared it with the priests of Torit, some members of Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference (SCBC) and the Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan, H. Grace Archbishop Leo Boccardi. Given the complex nature of this issue, the Diocese wants to unequivocally inform the public that no any concrete steps have been taken to implement the project. Hence, conscious of the concerns and worries being expressed by people, especially by our faithful, the Diocese is expressing its official position in the followings points:- 1) The Bishop Akio Johnson did not go to seek for any financial contribution from these Muslim students. It was their own initiative in appreciation to the advocacy in favor of Darfur by Lopez Lomong and effort to nurture a spirit of reconciliation and harmony between Christians and Muslims. 2) The students are part of a USA-based nonprofit foundation known as Sudan Sun Rise (www.sudansunrise.org). The foundation brings together people of different social and religious background, supports humanitarian projects and advocates for reconciliation and harmony between South Sudan and Sudan communities. 3) The initiative of reconstructing Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral is still at stage of dialogue and consultation between the Diocese and those students. No any definitive decision or concrete step has been taken to by the Diocese. Hence, our faithful as well as the public should not be misled by any false information around. 4) The students stated clearly that they don't have any sure source of finance. They will finance this project through solicitation of contribution from people of goodwill in USA and Europe. To do that, they will resort to media streams such as TV and Radio channels to sensitize people about the project. 5) The Diocese is not aware of any other organization to which these students are linked, apart from the Sudan Sun Rise. The project is being coordinated in USA by Rudwan Dawod, a human rights activist, and Rev. Canon Tom Prichard, a Christian Pastor of the Presbyterian Church. And Rev. Daniel, of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS) is the immediate consultant in Juba, South Sudan. 6) The students have not said that the reconstruction of the Cathedral will be entirely handled by them. What they have promised is a "financial contribution" only. To this effect, they even requested that the Diocese of Torit should provide workers and cover part of the financial expenses. The Diocese is very attentive and sensitive to the concerns being expressed by the Christians. It, therefore, wants to assure the public, and especially its faithful, that nothing still has been concretely implemented. Consultations are still being done to ensure that every aspect of this delicate issue is meticulously addressed, clarified and understood by all. As part of commitment to the spirit of Ecumenism, the Diocese will continue to engage these students in dialogue and try together to explore other ways of promoting reconciliation and harmony among different creeds in our State. This is regardless to whether they contribute to the reconstruction or not. Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral is a real rock that has absorbed in itself decades of civil wars. It was several times bombed and destroyed during the conflicts. Notwithstanding that, the Cathedral has always stood as a unique symbol of a long time history of deep religious faith and tradition of our local Church. By God's will and providence, our Cathedral will one day rise up to its initial splendor to the glory of God and pride of the faithful. This is a legacy that will be perpetually preserved by the clergy and faithful of this Diocese. Fr. Mark Opere Omol Diocesan Representative, Italy and European Union END1 2. S SUDAN: Diocese of Torit Clears Air on Reconstruction of Cathedral TORIT, November 06, 2012 (CISA) -The Catholic diocese of Torit is seeking to allay concerns among her faithful that the reconstruction of the Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral will solely be done by Muslim youths. “The Diocese is very attentive and sensitive to the concerns being expressed by the Christians. It, therefore, wants to assure the public, and especially it’s faithful, that nothing still has been concretely implemented. Consultations are still being done to ensure that every aspect of this delicate issue is meticulously addressed, clarified and understood by all,” said a press statement signed by Fr Mark Opere Omol, the Diocesan Representative Italy and European Union. According to the statement there has been mixed reactions since it was reported that Muslim youths wanted to help reconstruct the Cathedral that has several times been bombed and destroyed during conflicts. The statement stated that “Bishop Akio Johnson did not go to seek for any financial contribution from these Muslim students. It was their own initiative in appreciation to the advocacy in favor of Darfur by Lopez Lomong and effort to nurture a spirit of reconciliation and harmony between Christians and Muslims.” According to the diocese, a year ago a group of Muslim students (Sudan Sun Rise) from Darfur met Bishop of Torit, Rt Rev Akio Johnson Mutek, declaring their intention to help reconstruct the Chapel of Kimotong Parish and the Cathedral of Torit. The students stated their intention to reconstruct the Churches as a sign of appreciation and an effort to promote reconciliation and harmony among Christians and Muslims in Eastern Equatoria State (EES). The students also stated that they would finance the project through solicitation of contribution from people of goodwill in USA and Europe. What they promised is a "financial contribution" only. They requested that the Diocese of Torit should provide workers and cover part of the financial expenses. Bishop Akio hailed the students' intention and assured them that he would make wide consultations before reaching any conclusion. To this effect, the Bishop shared it with the priests of Torit, some members of Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference (SCBC) and the Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan, His Grace Archbishop Leo Boccardi. “Given the complex nature of this issue, the Diocese wants to unequivocally inform the public that no any concrete steps have been taken to implement the project. The initiative of reconstructing Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral is still at stage of dialogue and consultation between the Diocese and those students,” said the statement. As part of commitment to the spirit of Ecumenism, the Diocese will continue to engage these students in dialogue and try together to explore other ways of promoting reconciliation and harmony among different creeds in our State. This is regardless to whether they contribute to the reconstruction or not. “The Cathedral has always stood as a unique symbol of a long time history of deep religious faith and tradition of our local Church. By God's will and providence, our Cathedral will one day rise up to its initial splendor to the glory of God and pride of the faithful. This is a legacy that will be perpetually preserved by the clergy and faithful of this Diocese,” concluded the statement. END2 ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan, South Sudan Advisor [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +211 919 695 362 (South Sudan mobile) +27 82 050 1235 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. 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