Diocesan News19 Oct 12

Down And Dromore And Albany Team Head To South Sudan

The Bishop of Down and Dromore, The Rt Revd Harold Miller will be part of a 10–strong team leaving for Maridi in South Sudan on Sunday 21 October 2012. Down and Dromore is involved in a three–way partnership with the Diocese of Albany, USA, and the Diocese of Maridi. The link is facilitated by CMS Ireland and was forged after Bishop Miller’s first visit in 1999.

The 20–year civil war, which has had such a devastating effect on Sudan’s recent history, saw many people in the diocese forced into exile – mostly in DR Congo. However, in the past few years, many of those people have begun to return home and start a new life, from scratch.

During the war much of the infrastructure in the area was destroyed but the Church remained and, under the leadership of Bishop Justin Badi, is playing a pivotal role in the rebuilding of Maridi.

This means that, among other things, the diocese is involved in providing primary and secondary level education, ensuring basic healthcare and enabling HIV/AIDS awareness training.

Bishop Bill Love and two others from the Diocese of Albany are part of the team making the 10 day trip. The group will participate in a Youth Conference, provide medical support, lead a healing service and make ministry visits to two Archdeaconries that have been affected by Lord’s Resistance Army incursions.

ENDS

Caption: Marida Team