Letter
Letter of Solidarity to Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference Regarding the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, February 3, 2010
February 3, 2010
Most Reverend Rudolf Deng Majak
Bishop of Wau
President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference
S.C.B.C. General Secretariat
P.O. Box 6011
Khartoum, Sudan Dear Bishop Deng:
I write to express the solidarity of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) with the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) and with the people of Sudan, especially in this the final year of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
In the pastoral letter of December 2009, your Conference wrote, “The CPA remains a valid and relevant road map for a just and lasting peace in Sudan.” You noted that, “The political situation in our country has reached a crucial and decisive moment due to non implementation of some key component of the protocols.”
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops shares your concerns regarding the upcoming national elections, the referendum on self determination, the rising tide of ethnic violence in Southern Sudan, and the tragic costs of previous wars. We support your calls to both the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan to respect fully the provisions of the CPA and govern with responsibility and transparency.
We are especially mindful of your appeal to the international community to engage all parties to the conflict in Darfur as well as those involved in the CPA in steps to bring an end to the violence and to implement fully the CPA. The USCCB reiterates its sincere commitment to support the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference in its efforts to “… foster dialogue as a means to handle the negative scenarios which are emerging in the Country due to the current situation and convert them into elements of peace.”
We are sending a copy of your Pastoral Letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to ensure that the U.S. State Department and the Special Envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, are fully aware of your concerns and hopes for the future. We remain proud of the long history of support provided by Catholic Relief Services as well as their current efforts to increase assistance to the Church in Sudan.
For its part, the USCCB stands ready to work with your Conference to encourage U.S. policy makers to support your efforts to bring the CPA to a successful conclusion and to build a lasting and just peace among the people of Sudan. You, your Brother Bishops and the people of Sudan remain in our prayers.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard
ishop of Albany
Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace