Cardinal Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, Church leaders in Upper Nile state, the governor, and other senior leaders led by the visiting Cardinal Pietro Parolin visited refugee camps and IDPs in Malakal - Photo Credit: Catholic Radio Network

The visiting Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has expressed concerns over the devastating effects of Sudan’s ongoing war.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived in the country two days ago and met with President Kiir and church leaders.

On Tuesday, August 15, His Eminence Parolin visited camps in Malakal, Upper Nile state to meet with the returnees and refugees who fled the conflict in the Sudan.

Thousands of them arrived at the border point and travelled to Malakal in a cargo boat belonging to the Catholic Diocese.

The boat often carries 400 to 800 people in a journey of nearly three days.

According to the Vatican News Agency, Cardinal Pietro Parolin – who was seen on the boat on Wednesday, August 16, welcomed the returnees and refugees escaping from the ongoing war in Sudan.

Speaking to the Catholic Radio Network, Cardinal Parolin said the Church regrets the losses incurred due to the war in Sudan.

“The war has destroyed everything, the war has destroyed lives, the war has destroyed community, the war has destroyed properties, and we feel very sorry for what has happened to the people of Sudan,” said Pietro Parolin.

For his part, Stephen Nyodho Ador, the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malakal said the visit of the Vatican Secretary of State has brought hope to the citizens.

He added that more than three thousand returnees who fled from Sudan were transported to their destination in Upper Nile state by the church.

Bishop Nyodho appealed to the international community, aid partners and people of goodwill to help the needy people.

“We still call on the international community, we call on our partner, we call upon the people of goodwill because the situation here really requires people of goodwill, it requires humanity so that we help the situation,” said Bishop Nyodho.

“The people who are here in South Sudan have been suffering and they continue to suffer, like today it rains in the morning up to now and their people who have nothing to cover themselves,” he said.

“Children and elderly people they need a lot of assistance, we went yesterday with the cardinal to see their situation and he saw by himself.”