AFRICA/SUDAN - El-Obeid Cathedral hit by rocket bullets

Tuesday, 2 May 2023 wars bishops local churches

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Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - The Cathedral of Mary Queen of Africa, in the diocese of El-Obeid, was hit by rocket bullets during violent clashes between Sudanese army forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group
According to Father Peter Suleiman, Secretary General of the Sudanese and South Sudanese Catholic Bishops' Conference (SSSCBC) at least two rockets hit the cathedral on April 27. The first rocket hit part of the priest’s house and the second rocket blasted into the front gate of the Cathedral Church which led to shuttering of glasses.
"We thank God that he was not in the room at that time, because the room is completely damaged, and the other rocket bullet hit in front of the main gate of the Cathedral and it affect the building that resulted to the damage of the glasses", reports Father Suleiman.
The incident happened when the Bishop of El-Obeid Tombe Trille and other priests were praying during Blessed Sacrament in the Church.
"We thank God that they are safe, only the general situation where people are lacking food, water, and no access to electricity in the Town", adds the Secretary General, that the Bishop of El-Obeid and other priests are still in their place, except the Sisters at Saint Francis School who are close to army barracks that were evacuated to different locations.
"Only as far as I know, the sisters in Saint Francis School are the ones who are close to the military barracks, so they were asked to evacuate or to move to a different location where it’s a bit safe. But otherwise in general all the Church personnel are in their places".
The Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference of Sudan and South Sudan affirms that the conflict in Sudan is destroying historical buildings and calls on Sudanese and South Sudanese to pray for peace.
While the attention of the international press is focused on the fighting in the capital Khartoum, several other areas of Sudan are also affected by the clashes between the army and the RDF, particularly in Darfur, a stronghold of the latter. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/5/2023)