South Sudan diocese demands body of parishioner killed in army assault

‘This incident is not only an assault on the physical space of the church, but also an affront to the fundamental rights to religious freedom.’

The Diocese of Torit demanded that the South Sudanese military release of a body of faithful killed when it raided the Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Loa, in Magwi County.

Bishop Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta of Torit said that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces stormed the parish, killing a civilian and injuring another on 26 March.

“As a church committed to peace, justice, and service to humanity, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the killing that took place in the church premises and the denial of decent burial for the dead,” said Napeta on 30 March. “This incident is not only an assault on the physical space of the church, but also an affront to the fundamental rights to religious freedom, and the security of the people of the Catholic Diocese of Torit.”

The attack on the parish came amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Vice President Reik Machar Teny continued to escalate. Kiir put Machar under house arrest for alleged links with the White Army, a Nuer ethnic militia which attacked army positions in early March.

In Torit, the bishop said the soldiers took away the body of the vicim to an unknown place and concealed evidence of their actions at the scene. The soldiers also questioned, harassed, and threatened church personnel and residents of the area during the incursion.

“These actions not only disrupt the parish activities, but also instilled fear and anxiety among the population,” said the bishop. He called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident, the release of the body to the relatives for mourning and burial, and the deployment of security personnel to protect the parish property. The diocese also demanded a public apology for the attack.

“The Diocese of Torit expects our armed forces who have the mandate to protect civilians and their properties to uphold the principles of professionalism, justice, human rights and respect the religious institutions and act upon this matter the without delay,” he said.

Caritas Sudan appealed for warring parties to avoid a return to armed conflict and recommitment to previous pledges to cease hostilities.

“Caritas South Sudan stands with the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference in raising alarm over the escalating violence and political tensions in South Sudan,” the agency said in a statement dated 31 March.

South Sudan bishops offer to mediate to stop ‘catastrophic’ violence

‘Give peace a chance,’ churches urge South Sudan leaders

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: