The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Justin Badi Arama | Credit | Courtesy

The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan on Wednesday condemned the closure of Langbar parish and alleged harassment and torture of the priests in Bor of Jonglei State.

Primate Justine Badi Arama has accused some community leaders and chiefs mainly from Makuach Payam of being behind the incidents.

He told a news conference on August 9, that the local leaders had mobilized armed youths to forcefully lock the churches that are loyal to the main episcopal church administration.

According to religious leaders, the armed youth sealed the Saint Peter Parish under the watch of the state government’s watch.

“The E.C.S.S strongly condemned the current torture of priests and closure of the church by the chiefs, community leaders, and the youth in Bor,” Badi said.

“It’s now over three years that the E.C.S.S. leaders have continued to be humiliated, torture, and restricted to move and worship freely by the youth and local authorities in Bor.”

On Tuesday, Jonglei State Police Commissioner warned youths and chiefs of the Makuac area against the closure of the Langbar Episcopal Church in Bor saying it risks further conflict.

Major General Elia Costa said a group of youths and chiefs closed the church on Saturday, August 5, without stating any interventions from the state law enforcement agents.

General Cost has urged the disputing parties to sit down and dialogue to resolve their differences.

“It will not be a solution because the other side also will react, but it needs people to sit down and find out a solution that will be acceptable by the two parties.”

Meanwhile, Primate Badi said the church administration is displeased with the alleged failure of the government to protect the churches in Bor.

He called on the authorities to issue an order for the church to be reopened.

“The ECSS leadership [Episcopal of South Sudan] is displeased with the failure of the government for not giving equal rights and protections to ECSS like other churches and domination in Bor Town.”

“Today in the name of the almighty God, we call upon the government to immediately give orders for our church in Bor to be open for worship as soon as possible and give freedom to all the E.C.S.S Bishops, Clergy, and faithful to move and operate freely in Bor Town.”