AFRICA/SUDAN - Solidarity visit of African bishops to Sudan

Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - African bishops embarked yesterday, November 5, on a pastoral and solidarity visit to Sudan. According to a statement sent to Fides, a joint delegation of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) is visiting Sudan to express the solidarity of the two bishops' associations towards the Church and the local population.
There will be a referendum on whether or not South Sudan will cede in January and tension is growing in the country.
“The visit is in line with the prophetic role of SECAM and AMECEA in making the Church as a Family of God in Africa, to preserve and foster communion, collaboration and joint action among all the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and the Islands,” the statement affirms. “SECAM and AMECEA have over the years observed and deliberated, with keen interest, the difficult situation of  the Church and people of Sudan and wish to express their sympathy and solidarity with them through this visit.”
The delegation from SECAM and AMECEA is expected to hold discussions during the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sudan that is taking place in the Diocese of Rumbek from November 8-15, 2010.
The objectives of the visit among others seek: to consult the Episcopal Conference of Sudan on major problems facing the Church and the people of Sudan and  to find common measures in addressing them; to encourage the Church and people of Sudan as they walk the path of peace in the face of many challenges; to foster collaboration and advocacy through Justice and Peace and Caritas Networks in matters related to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace; to find out how SECAM and the entire Church could advocate on the International level for the success of the January 9, 2010 referendum of 
that country; to give a message of faith and hope to the people of Sudan. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 6/11/2010)