The role of the church in political and social situation of South Sudan
By Akuot Aquila Apiu, Juba, South Sudan
May 11, 2016 (SSB) — In the early days of Christianity, the relationship between the state and the church was tragic, attended by brutal recriminations, rivalry and suspicion under the Roman Empire. However with time it improved to cooperation on contentious issue of divinity and temporal authority.
The recent issues that have happened in churches across the country have left me wondering. First Mama Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior was attacked in the church second Angelina Teny made a statement in the church reminding her tribemates not forget how they were kill by Dinkas which was interpreted by some people as incitement. Those few and some others like David Yau Yau who was spiritual leader before becoming rebel who end up killing forgetting what he had been preaching had left me wondering what role do church have in the development of the country.
It’s true that most church leaders in south Sudan have be campaigning for peace and of recent they are leading call for Reconciliation and healing among the communities but when people get attacked in the church, people incite in the church then what reconciliation do church leaders mean?
Some modern theologian identify reconciliation as the organizing principle of the church gospel; it enjoyed a long history even in New Testament offering an “inter class ethical perspective where poor, master and slave are to be reconciled”
In the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Jean Paul || “encouraged churches and leaders of the nations to dialogue with one another for the sake of reconciliation in the midst of many conflicts”
The church is important in character formation, the reverse is now the case, and it has lost divine voice against societal vices. The basic concept that church is a tool for moral policing has been left to the mercies of political forces and the tribal elite.
Most of the churches in South Sudan have turned out to be the flat form for political speeches, hate speeches, incitement and also a place for show off by politicians.
This stench like an open sore, remind us of our failing despite the proliferation of churches that have beautiful cathedral but lack spirituality; moral decay has eaten so deep that the church co-exist with evil.
With corruption and immorality entrenched, indecency and prosperity replaced redemptive gospel. Our women dress to reveal anatomical features before a compromised church that preach “what you put on does not defile you; your heart does” the danger of this spiritual development is alarming.
The church is not a place where worshipers seek God for material gratification but where we serve him without conditions; loving our neighbours; treating others well as we would want them to treat us and desiring that whatever we need should be able to benefit others. We bear witness to Christ when the church become a moral voice against societal ills.
Christian, to fulfil their obligation must stands by truth through exemplary living and be fearless in illuminating spiritual valves.
The church considering its divine function should be a flat form for rebirth and making government to succeed not for incitement and attack as evidenced.
The church in catechesis and human development must be our spiritual standard and living in cold indifference to social ills is unacceptable.
We have churches without spirituality amid dehydrated memberships. We have abandoned things which we should have done and done those things which we ought not to, turning the church in a market or a campaign ground a thing Jesus opposed in Jerusalem.
Through compromise, the church has become filthy; a place where all manners of characters worship God in pretense, where ill-gotten wealth is prayed for, where the more money the clergy receives in gifts, tithes and offering, the more important the giver becomes. The phrase “God loves cheerful giver” has been manipulated for greed.
There are deep division, factions and recriminations within the churches, Hypocrites whom Jesus are now adorable characters that occupy front seats and acquire Christian titles thus giving a wrong impression that ill-gotten wealth is a yardstick to eternal life
Christian must dethrone this tyranny of flesh, the years of liberation struggle and civil wars have entrenched corruption that has devalued our humanity. South Sudan have developed casual cynicism and contempt for honesty where lawlessness is rewarded with prayers from compromised churches.
South Sudan desire spiritual direction and church with voice against societal ill, one that speak fearlessly, a church that rebuked evil; that forgives and sustain values regardless of danger is the church that will led us to that direction.
Government effort in tackling economic and political woes need church participation because a spirit-filled church is a wealthy nation.
The church need to get involves in developmental project in partnerships with government to curb unemployment because both are entrench a better society where peace and justice reign and poverty is reduce.
But then comes in another question. Has the church achieved Christ’s desire? Has the church tackled corruption within its ranks?
The church must not be compromise on sectional, partisan, ethnic and tribal considerations.
For the church to live in action and deeds its must have courage for truth and must not compromise Standard for fear of losing financial members. This how to sustain the dignity of the man and our country.
Former assistant lecturer Upper Nile University, currently with south Sudan police service but under training with the Uganda police force in pts kabalye.
You can reach the author, AKUOT AQUILA APIU GARANG, via: Akuot Aquila <akuotaquila@yahoo.com>
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