By Sr. Laurencila, FSSA
The Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSSCBC) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the brutal killing of innocent civilians in Ayod County, Jonglei State, and Abiemnhom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area, calling the attacks an affront to God and humanity.
Released on 2 March 2026, the statement signed by Cardinal H. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla and six other bishops describes the incidents as “a fresh descent into the abyss of human depravity” and demands that perpetrators be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable under the law.
A Cry for Justice
The bishops described receiving “distressing reports” of civilians — men, women, and children — being targeted and killed inside their own communities. “The blood of our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, shed not on a battlefield but within their own communities, cries out to Heaven,” the statement reads.
The Conference called on transitional governments at all levels to launch independent and thorough investigations, identify perpetrators, and bring those responsible to justice. “Impunity feeds repetition. Justice restores trust,” the bishops warned.
Confronting the Culture of Deadly Revenge
In their statement, the bishops directly confronted what they called a deeply rooted “culture of deadly revenge” fuelled by anger, collective blame, and historical grievances. They rejected the logic of retaliation in unequivocal terms: “Revenge is not justice. Collective punishment is not strength. Blood for blood is not dignity. This mentality must end.”
Invoking Pope Francis, the bishops quoted: “War is a defeat for humanity,” and added that every massacre and every revenge killing “diminishes our nation.”
A Lenten Call to National Conversion
Issued during the Christian season of Lent, the statement carries a particular spiritual urgency. The bishops called on every South Sudanese heart to “examine itself” and declared: “Good Friday reminds us that violence crucifies the innocent. Easter assures us that life is stronger than death.”
The conference formally declared its renunciation of the culture of deadly revenge, its rejection of tribal hatred, its refusal to normalise massacres, and its commitment to “the demanding path of justice, reconciliation, and peace.”
Solidarity with Affected Dioceses
The bishops expressed particular solidarity with Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok of Malakal and Bishop Christian Carlassare of Bentiu, whose dioceses cover the affected regions. They urged survivors — many of whom are traumatised and displaced — not to let hope be extinguished, citing John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The conference also appealed to humanitarian organisations and all people of good will to extend urgent support to affected communities, including pastoral and psychosocial care, protection, and basic necessities.
Signatories
The statement was signed by Cardinal H. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla (Archbishop of Juba and SSSCBC President), Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam Gbitiku (Wau), Bishop Baroni Eduardo Hiiiboro Kussala (Tombura-Yambio), Bishop Tombe Trille Kuku (El-Obeid), Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok (Malakal), Bishop Christian Carlassare (Bentiu), and Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor (Administrator Bishop of Yei).
