st. matthew cathedral, the episcopal church of sudan
During this critical time, as the people of The Republic of South Sudan unite to start a new nation, our the people of St James formalized a partnership with St Matthew Cathedral, the Diocese of Renk, The Episcopal Church of Sudan. Our partnership in mission supports the congregation of St Matthew and pays the salaries of The Very Rev Martha Deng Naihl and her assistant The Rev. Abraham Shute Majuc. St Matthew Cathedral Renk Town remains a symbol of hope, and of God's presence, during this time of rebuilding, transition, uncertainty and unrest.
The Diocese of Renk, Episcopal Church of Sudan was officially formed in August, 1995, to spread the Gospel in the Northern Upper Nile region of Sudan. It occupies an area of 32,000 sq. km., has an estimated population over 120,000, and includes Renk Town, Maban and Melut Provinces. Gum Arabic is an important economic forest product, in addition to wood and charcoal. The Nile and its tributaries serve as good fishing ground for the population. Agriculture is also an important means of support.
Renk Diocese is on the border between the mostly Islamic north (Republic of Sudan) and the mostly Christian and African Traditionalist south (Republic of South Sudan). The first bishop, Daniel Deng Bul, now Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and Diocesan Bishop of Juba, was appointed to establish this new diocese where thousands of internally displaced southern Sudanese men, women, and children have been forced to flee to safety as a result of the 20-year civil war caused by the northern Islamic Fundamentalist Government.
Discovery of oil in the south also led to internal displacement as government troops forced people from villages in those areas. A Peace Agreement ended the war in July 2005, and these refugees are returning by the thousands to their devastated homeland. Former Principal of Renk Theological College, Fr. Joseph Garang Atem, was elected second bishop of Renk in May 2008, and enthroned August, 2008.
What is now South Sudan was part of the British and Egyptian condominium of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and became part of the Republic of the Sudan when independence was achieved in 1956. Following the First Sudanese Civil War, the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region was formed in 1972 and lasted until 1983. A second Sudanese civil war soon developed and ended with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. Later that year, southern autonomy was restored when an Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan was formed. South Sudan became an independent state on 9 July 2011. On 14 July 2011, South Sudan became a United Nations member state. It joined the African Union on 28 July 2011. South Sudan is one of the poorest countries with possibly the worst health situation in the world.
As The Republic of South Sudan builds a nation with people who have been displaced and are the victim's of violence, St Matthew Cathedral is a powerful symbol of God's presence in the midst of change and turmoil.
There are currently 20,000 refugees in Renk internally displaced by the civil war, living in the north, no longer safe there and coming through Renk on their way to their villages in South Sudan. While many are departing south by river steamer, more arrivals keep coming. Every day, every week, thousands more arrive with no means of support, no shelter, lacking food and proper sanitation. It is now the rainy season which brings with an increase in serious illnesses, with children dying, as the people wait to move on. The continued and tightening blockade of fuel, food and other goods, is making conditions worse for these people.
Now, more than ever, our brothers and sisters in Renk Diocese need to know that we are with them. Bishop Joseph and his people are putting their lives on the line. They are giving all that they have for the sake of God's mission. Many have died, are dying and are willing to die.
ps: we are deepening our knowledge and understanding of what it means to be witnesses for Christ in all places and with all people.
The people of St James Cathedral have a partnership with St. Matthew Cathedral Renk Town, in the Republic of South Sudan, The Episcopal Church of Sudan.
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