As the tragic situation of conflict in South Sudan moves into its 17th month, the World Council of Churches (WCC) invites its member churches to a special day of prayer on Sunday, 10 May, for those affected by the South Sudanese conflict,

As the tragic situation of conflict in South Sudan moves into its 17th month, the World Council of Churches (WCC) invites its member churches to a special day of prayer on Sunday, 10 May, for those affected by the South Sudanese conflict, for the revival of fruitful peace talks, and for new ways ahead.

The WCC has accompanied the churches in South Sudan for more than 40 years. In April this year, the WCC in collaboration with the South Sudan Council of Churches convened twenty church leaders and representatives from South Sudan and Ethiopia, along with related agencies, in Addis Ababa, to reflect on the tragic situation of conflict in South Sudan, the recent collapse of peace talks among the parties to the conflict, and fresh ways forward.

“As the violent conflict moves into its 17th month, the South Sudanese are waiting in excruciating pain for the return of peace”, said the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit in his invitation to the churches.

Tveit added: “The church leaders are playing a significant role to bring peace to South Sudan. The churches are representing the people and the civil society and could unite the country.

Therefore, the WCC invites its member churches and Christians worldwide to offer special prayers, to restore hope to all people affected by this situation of conflict, and to strengthen all well-intended initiatives.”

The WCC now invites churches to share a common prayer on Sunday, 10 May, for the South Sudan peace process, using liturgical materials including a prayer, hymn and photo slideshow on the theme of life in South Sudan, all made available through the WCC website.