By Sr. Laurencila, FSSA.
Tombura–Yambio, Western Equatoria State — December 25, 2025
The Chairperson of the Interfaith Council for Peace Initiatives (IFCPI) in Western Equatoria State, Most Rev. Dr. Eduardo Hiboro Kussala, has issued a Christmas message and a strong interfaith call for peace, urging religious leaders and communities to renew their commitment to dialogue, unity, and nonviolence ahead of the coming national elections.
In a message addressed to Archbishops, Bishops, Christian pastors, Muslim Imams, and other religious leaders, Bishop Kussala extended Christmas greetings and emphasized the shared responsibility of faith leaders in safeguarding peace and human dignity.
“As Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, a messenger of peace and mercy, this sacred season invites all people of faith to recommit themselves to peace, compassion, and respect for human life,” the statement read.
Reflecting on the origins of the Interfaith Council for Peace Initiatives, Bishop Kussala recalled that the council was formed in 2013 during a period of intense violence, fear, and division in South Sudan. He noted that religious leaders chose unity and cooperation as a moral response to the crisis.
“By the grace of God and through our shared commitment, lives have been protected, dialogue has replaced confrontation, and hope has returned to many hearts,” he said, describing these achievements as a legacy that must be preserved and strengthened.
However, the Bishop cautioned that violence and mistrust persist in some areas of the state, warning that peace remains a continuous responsibility rather than a one-time achievement. He stressed that the approaching election period makes renewed collaboration among religious leaders more urgent than ever.
“As we enter a sensitive year marked by national elections, we must sit together, plan together, and act together courageously for peacebuilding—first among ourselves as religious leaders, and then within our wider communities,” he urged.
The message drew on sacred texts and global voices of peace, including passages from the Bible (Matthew 5:9) and the Holy Qur’an (5:32), as well as reflections from Nobel Peace Prize laureates Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Saint Teresa of Calcutta, all emphasizing justice, compassion, and the sanctity of life.
Bishop Kussala reminded religious leaders that communities are closely watching their words and actions, calling on them to serve as a moral compass by promoting dialogue, forgiveness, restraint, and peaceful coexistence.
He concluded by praying that the Christmas season renew shared values across faith traditions, including reverence for God, love of neighbor, care for the vulnerable, and commitment to the common good. He also wished members of the Interfaith Council wisdom, good health, and renewed courage in the year ahead.
The message was issued on December 25, 2025, and signed by Most Rev. Dr. Eduardo Hiboro Kussala, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura–Yambio and Chairperson of the Interfaith Council for Peace Initiatives (IFCPI), Western Equatoria State.
