The Archbishop of Canterbury is urging the nations of the world to increase prayers for an end to the war in South Sudan.

Dr. Justin Welby, who visited Jonglei State capital, Bor in January this year, has shared what he calls “the harrowing experience” of visiting the desolate town in South Sudan.

He said in Bor at least 6,000 were killed during a bout of extreme violence, and he has now called for “remorseless, unceasing prayer” for an end to the conflict.

Dr. Welby says the sheer level of destruction was “overwhelming”.

[Justin Welby-SBE04]: “We stood with bodies at our feet, and the smell of death around us, and we prayed. The shock of so much destruction, of a town of a quarter of a million looted and destroyed, everyone driven into the bush or across the river, perhaps 6,000 dead, perhaps more…all the women raped, the most atrocious sexual violence, was very overwhelming, very desperate. It was shocking not only to us coming from the kind of place where you don’t see those things very often but even to the South Sudanese, who have seen so much suffering. I think there are a significant number of things we can do. I think, “don’t forget” is the biggest. We must be battering at the gate of heaven in prayer, remorseless, unceasing prayers.”

Dr. Welby called for provision of practical assistance to help those in desperate need of humanitarian aid by preventing the supply of arms.

He also said those who fuel the conflict must be brought to justice.

[Dr. Justin Welby-SBE05]: “As we pray, we engage with God in the struggle against human evil. Secondly, there are practical measures down to earth, day to day measures, prevent the supply of arms hold up to ignominy (shame)…those who fuel the conflict in one way or another. Thirdly make it clear that there will be no impunity for war crimes of which there are many. And fourthly, equip those particularly like the bishops who will be responsible for developing a culture of a society of reconciliation. And fifthly meet the needs of the refugees and the Internally Displaced Persons.”

Archbishop Welby said one of the prevailing impressions was of a deep sense of shock that after so many years of war and after the creation of the new nation, South Sudanese found themselves back where they were.