Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin disembark from a plane at Juba International Airport. October 30, 2023. (Lou Nelson).

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, has appealed to South Sudanese to embrace forgiveness and love one another during the Christmas season.

Cardinal Ameyu made the call on Christmas Eve while reflecting on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

He urged Christians to forgive one another and open a new page of love and reconciliation, saying forgiveness is a central teaching of Christianity.

“As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded that forgiveness is a central value of Christianity. Forgiveness shows the love we have for all mankind, just as God has shown his love for humanity. Christmas must therefore be a celebration of the birth of Christ, who is love himself.

“God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die on the cross to liberate his brothers and sisters. We have already been liberated by God, and each one of us is called to be like Christ,” he appealed.

The Cardinal, who is also the head of the Catholic Church in South Sudan, said God showed forgiveness to humanity through the birth of Jesus Christ.

He further called on South Sudanese to love their neighbours and live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“Christmas must therefore be a celebration of the birth of Christ, who is love himself. God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die on the cross to liberate his brothers and sisters. We have already been liberated by God, and each one of us is called to be like Christ,” he said.