By Sr. Laurencila Akinyi, FSSA.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has expressed profound ecclesial solidarity with the Church in South Sudan following the killing of approximately 200 innocent civilians in Ayod County in Jonglei State and Abiemnhom County in the Ruweng Administrative area.
In a letter dated March 10, 2026, addressed to the Most Reverend Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of Tombura-Yambio and President of the Integral Human Development Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Most Reverend A. Elias Zaidan, Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, conveyed the deep concern of American Catholics over the escalating violence in South Sudan.
Bishop Zaidan echoed the resounding statement made by Bishop Hiiboro and his brother bishops of Sudan and South Sudan on March 2, which declared that these acts represent not only a tragic loss of life but a fresh descent into the abyss of human depravity, where the sanctity of life, a sacred gift from God, is trampled upon with alarming impunity.
The letter acknowledged that the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace has long voiced urgent concern over the mass destruction and loss of life caused by civil conflict in South Sudan. Bishop Zaidan stated that the committee is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation of violence and the further intensified humanitarian crisis facing the country.
Sharing the conviction expressed by the South Sudanese bishops that every massacre is a defeat of our humanity, Bishop Zaidan urged the Catholic faithful in the United States and all people of goodwill to pray and work for an end to the cycles of trauma, retaliation, and violence gravely afflicting communities across South Sudan.
The US bishops also sought to amplify the call made by their South Sudanese counterparts for international assistance in addressing needs for basic humanitarian services, pastoral care, and psychosocial support for the millions currently in distress. Bishop Zaidan noted that in the coming days, the faithful at parishes across the United States would contribute to the annual Collection for Catholic Relief Services, one of the means by which the US Catholic community can continue to tangibly support their South Sudanese brothers and sisters.
The letter also applauded the work of organizations like Solidarity with South Sudan, through which Catholic religious congregations help strengthen the people’s capacity to build a more just and peaceful society. This recognition highlights the ongoing partnerships between the global Catholic Church and local communities in South Sudan as they work toward sustainable peace and development.
Bishop Zaidan expressed trust that Our Lord accompanies the people of South Sudan through their unthinkable suffering, particularly during the Lenten period. He prayed that the recent cascade of violence may be imminently halted and the most vulnerable protected. Through the intercession of Mary Queen of Peace, he asked that justice and peace reign throughout South Sudan.
The letter represents a significant gesture of international solidarity at a time when South Sudan continues to face severe humanitarian challenges and recurring cycles of violence. The statement from the US Catholic Bishops’ Conference brings global attention to the crisis and reinforces calls for the international community to increase support for humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding efforts in the country.
Bishop Hiiboro, in his capacity as President of the Integral Human Development Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has been a vocal advocate for peace and human dignity in South Sudan. The recognition and support from the US bishops strengthens the moral authority of the South Sudanese Church’s efforts to address violence, promote reconciliation, and advocate for the protection of civilian populations.
The correspondence underscores the universal nature of the Catholic Church’s commitment to human life and dignity, demonstrating that the suffering of communities in South Sudan is not forgotten by the global Church but rather held in prayer and supported through concrete acts of solidarity and assistance.
