CISA REPORT;
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.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
“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.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
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