The South Sudan Council of Churches and PAX have launched a groundbreaking booklet titled “Active Non-Violence” to empower church leaders in peace promotion. The initiative responds to the long-standing violence in South Sudan and provides practical guidance for fostering reconciliation. The launch highlights the commitment of church leaders towards creating a culture of nonviolence and justice, aided by an ecumenical effort and strategic collaboration with PAX.
The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), in collaboration with PAX, has introduced a booklet aimed at empowering church leaders to promote peace in South Sudan. This initiative, announced on February 3, highlights the booklet titled “Active Non-Violence” as a pioneering resource for fostering community reconciliation. Created in response to the ongoing violent conflicts that have plagued South Sudan since its independence in 2011, the booklet provides practical guidance for church leaders.
The launch event, held on January 27 in Juba, South Sudan, follows discussions among SSCC members in Kigali, Rwanda, where they emphasized the need for a fresh approach to peacebuilding. The connection to PAX facilitated the booklet’s development as part of a broader Action Plan for Peace (APP), stressing that effective peace strategies must be church-led and contextually relevant.
Emmanuel Ira, the South Sudan Country Director of PAX, expressed the booklet’s goal to foster a culture of just peace. He asserted, “This is the beginning that this tool is going to help to break this perception of violence,” advocating for a shift in the narrative surrounding South Sudanese communities which are often labeled as violent.
The SSCC General Secretary referred to the booklet as a necessary tool for understanding nonviolence as both a divine command and a practical lifestyle. During the launch, Rev. Tut Kony Nyang Kon emphasized that the teachings within the booklet derive from the Gospel and urged church leaders to actively promote nonviolence within their congregations, implicating this message is universal and extends beyond church leadership.
Furthermore, James Makuei Chuol, the Moderator of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, noted that the booklet stems from a 2022 decision made by church leaders in Kenya and incorporates ideas from a 2023 Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage involving significant religious figures like Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury. By sharing the message of nonviolence, the church seeks to encourage communities to tackle conflicts with compassion and strength.
The introduction of the “Active Non-Violence” booklet by the SSCC and PAX represents a significant step in the pursuit of peace within South Sudan, where a history of violence has undermined community cohesion. The collaboration draws on the recognition that church leaders play a crucial role in shaping cultural perceptions and behaviors regarding conflict and peace. This initiative aims to equip leaders with practical strategies for fostering reconciliation and addressing the root causes of violence, ultimately promoting a more peaceful society. The booklet arises from a series of meetings and resolutions among church leaders across Africa, indicating a strategic commitment to peacebuilding that is both grassroots and ecumenical in nature. It is a response to the needs articulated by those experiencing the ongoing ramifications of decades of conflict in South Sudan.
The launch of the “Active Non-Violence” booklet marks a proactive effort by South Sudan’s church leadership to transform perceptions of violence through community-driven peace initiatives. By empowering church leaders with practical resources and encouraging widespread engagement in nonviolent teachings, this initiative aims to instigate a cultural shift towards reconciliation and justice. The involvement of PAX underscores the collaborative commitment necessary to address the complex challenges of peacebuilding in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
