SOLIDARITY WITH SUDAN

Solidarity with Southern Sudan trains teachers, nurses and pastoral personnel in several locations throughout Southern Sudan. This initiative was inspired by the 2004 Rome Congress on Consecrated Life,

SOLIDARITY WITH SUDAN 



MISSION STATEMENT


Solidarity with Southern Sudan trains teachers, nurses and pastoral personnel in several locations throughout Southern Sudan. This initiative was inspired by the 2004 Rome Congress on Consecrated Life, Passion for Christ Passion for Humanity.


This project, Solidarity with Southern Sudan (SSS or Solidarity) is an act of communion between religious institutes of men and women, which are members of the Unions of Superiors General (USG and UISG), and the Church in Southern Sudan under the direction of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC).


After decades of civil war, when the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in January 2005, the bishops of Southern Sudan invited the USG/UISG to consider the needs of their people. Following a consultative process it became clear that projects related to education, health and pastoral care are needed if the goals of the CPA are to be achieved. 


Solidarity with Southern Sudan is a project that seeks to promote the Kingdom of God in partnership with the local church and the people of Sudan through the establishment and development of teacher and health training institutes and those pastoral services deemed most urgent. 


In recognition of the dignity of each person, SSS commits its community members to embrace and act out of a spirituality of justice, peace, and the integrity of creation marked by: 




  • proclamation of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ through our life witness and committed action, through our community life together. 




  • vulnerability and powerlessness, placing ourselves at the service of the people of Southern Sudan. 




  • appreciation and respect for local cultures, learning from the values of others which enrich and challenge our way of living.




  • dialogue and mutuality, recognizing the Spirit of God at work in each person and each faith tradition.




  • solidarity and accompaniment, empowering and supporting the Sudanese people as they rebuild their lives, their communities, and their societal structures.




  • reconciliation, promoting mutual understanding to heal past hurts and build right relationships.




  • reverence for all creation, committing ourselves to recognize the sacredness of life and to protecting life in all its forms.




  • hope, shouldering the struggle together with the Sudanese people in their journey of peace and reconciliation.


We as an institute do not participate in this project through the contribution of personnel, but as far as we can, we are closely involved through other means of assistance, We would also like to join this initiative of Prayer for peace in Sudan.


 






From September 21st 2010 (UN International Day of Peace) and January 1st 2011 (World Day of Prayer – Catholic Church) Solidarity with Southern Sudan (SSS) in collaboration with:





  • Catholic Relief Services (CRS)


  • Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC)

  • Catholic Aid for Overseas Development (CAFOD) 

is initiating a prayer campaign for peace in Sudan called “101 Days of Prayer for a Peaceful Referendum in Sudan.”


During the 101 days many prayer and peace-building activities are being planned within Sudan.  We invite the international community to join in solidarity with the people of Sudan at this important time in their history.  



Please join with us and invite members of religious congregations, dioceses, parishes, schools, families, friends, JPIC and other networks to do so.  The peace prayer, a booklet of prayers and reflections and other materials will be available shortly on the Solidarity with Southern Sudan website: www.solidarityssudan.org  


 


Prayer for PEACE in Sudan  


Lord Jesus, you who said to us;


“I leave you peace. My peace I give you.”


Look upon us your sisters and brothers


in Sudan as we face this moment


of referendum.


Send us your Spirit


to guide us.


Give us the wisdom we need to choose


our future where we will know


your true peace.


You call us out of slavery, oppression,


and persecution so that we may


have life in abundance.


Grant us peace with one another.


Give peace among ethnic groups.


Help us to work together for the good of all.


We ask this in your name,


Jesus our Lord.


Amen.


Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.