Letter
Letter of Solidarity to the Bishops of Sudan Upon Completion of Referendum on Self-Determination, January 20, 2011
January 20, 2011
His Eminence Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako
President
Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference
P.O. Box 6011
Khartoum
Sudan
Your Eminence:
As Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I am writing to congratulate you, the Bishops of Sudan, and the Sudanese people on the remarkably peaceful and successful completion of the Referendum on Self-Determination. During my pastoral visit with you in August, you shared with me the concerns, uncertainty and even doubt of your people. The timely and mainly peaceful completion of the referendum is due in large part to the tireless work and faithful leadership of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Our Bishops’ Conference and our relief and development agency, Catholic Relief Services, joined the Sudan Bishops’ Conference in “101 Days of Prayer Towards a Peaceful Referendum in Sudan”. Be assured, Your Eminence, of our continued support and prayers. We know that the referendum itself is not the goal or the end of the process. We will continue our work and our prayer to ensure all Sudanese are able to live in the peace, freedom, and dignity that God intends for all.
May the Prince of Peace, whose arrival among us we celebrated at Christmas, continue to bless you and guide you and the people of Sudan into a future of peace and prosperity.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Howard Hubbard
Bishop of Albany
Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace