Churches Places of Refuge, But Harassed in South Sudan

Read In South Sudan Conflict, Churches Attacked, Looted, by Fredrick Nzwili, at Christian Headlines. 




"African church leaders are urging parties in the South Sudanese conflict to respect places of worship, after rebels attacked and looted church compounds in the town of Malakal.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Malakal was looted at gunpoint, forcing priests and civilians to flee, a regional church leader said.

Catholic and Presbyterian churches, a hospital and an orphanage have become safe havens for refugees escaping the fighting in the city..."

"...“We urge the fighters to respect the places of worship,” said the Rev. Ferdinand Lugonzo, general secretary of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa. “They should not force out civilians who already feel safe in the church compounds.

" ”Churches have been providing aid to victims of the conflict with support from international relief organizations. As of Jan. 18, the Catholic cathedral in the town was harboring 6,500 refugees.

"The U.N. compound is hosting an additional 20,000. More than 600,000 people have been displaced in the fighting countrywide."

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