Press Releases
Visit of Bishop Moses Deng Bol to General Synod
Bishop Moses Deng Bol, Canon Kenneth Hearne and Bishop Harold Miller
The Rt Revd Moses Deng Bol, Bishop of Wau Diocese (Episcopal Church of Sudan) in South Sudan, was a special visitor at the Church of Ireland General Synod held in Armagh, 12-14 May 2011. Prior to attending General Synod, Bishop Moses visited various people from across the Church in the company of Canon Kenneth Hearne, including the Rt Revd Harold Miller, Bishop of Down & Dromore (pictured). Bishop Moses also spoke to the Church of Ireland Press Officer Paul Harron about the current Sudanese situation.
Bishop Deng Bol said:
I would like to thank Christians in Ireland and those whom I met when I was here last year for their prayers for us in South Sudan. The recent referendum was peaceful, free and fair, which was an answer to prayer. I would appeal for people to continue praying post-referendum as we prepare to have the Republic of South Sudan declared as a country on the 9 July this year. This will be a big day and we pray that the declaration will be peacefully carried out.
I also ask that people pray for peace to prevail in the two countries North and South and for peace in the South itself. There are still problems with militias fighting against the government and we want no return to civil war. The border is not yet demarcated and there is dispute over the border region of Abyei, which is a flashpoint. There are many issues to resolve including the sharing of oil, the use of money and currencies in the two countries, and over $32bn of national debt.
Regarding Wau, it covers two out of the 10 states of S. Sudan, with 450-500,000 people and 400 pastors, including evangelists. More theological training is required and a huge need to train people in preaching.
We have grazing land disputes (cattle rustling) between two communities – the Dinka and Nuer and we wish to see peace in these communities and attitudes of people loving their neighbours. One of our current programmes is the ‘Read the Bible’ programme where we are using the local languages of the Dinka and Jur communities.
For all of this, we value your continuing prayers.
ENDS