SSCC and PAX Launch Booklet to Promote Nonviolence in South Sudan
On January 27, 2025, the SSCC, with PAX, launched the “Active Non-Violence” booklet in Juba, aimed at equipping church leaders with tools for promoting peace. The initiative addresses the violence in South Sudan, stemming from years of conflict, and encourages engagement among community leaders. It emphasizes nonviolence as a central tenet of the Christian faith, with foundational guidance from previous church decisions and international peace efforts.
On January 27, 2025, the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), in partnership with PAX, unveiled a groundbreaking booklet titled “Active Non-Violence” in Juba. The booklet is aimed at empowering church leaders to promote peace and offers practical guidance for fostering reconciliation amidst South Sudan’s history of violent conflict. It represents an important step towards a new approach to sustainable peace following years of turmoil, including the civil war that began in 2013.
The SSCC recognized the need for change and, following discussions in Rwanda, collaborated with PAX to create this essential resource guided by the Action Plan for Peace (APP), a church-led strategy. Emmanuel Ira, PAX’s South Sudan Country Director, emphasized its purpose to counteract the public perception of South Sudanese as a violent community, as the booklet aims to provide insights into nonviolence.
During the launch, Rev. Tut Kony Nyang Kon conveyed the message of nonviolence as integral to the Christian faith, stating it serves as a “powerful tool” for understanding nonviolence not only as a strategy but as a reflection of the Gospel. He encouraged all church leaders to engage their congregations in talks about nonviolence, suggesting various approaches to spread this crucial message.
The Moderator of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and Sudan, James Makuei Chuol, acknowledged the church’s enduring commitment to peacebuilding. Rooted in a decision by church leaders made in 2022 and inspired by a 2023 peace pilgrimage involving Pope Francis, this initiative aims to equip communities with the tools needed to overcome conflict and foster justice.
The launch of the “Active Non-Violence” booklet by the SSCC and PAX emerges from a context of ongoing conflict in South Sudan, particularly after the civil war that erupted shortly after the nation’s independence. The need for peace initiatives led church representatives to collaborate on a unified approach. With insights from global church leaders, this booklet represents a commitment to healing and reconciliation in a divided society.
The introduction of the “Active Non-Violence” booklet signifies a pivotal effort by the SSCC and PAX to reshape perceptions of violence in South Sudan. Church leaders are called upon to be proactive in disseminating messages of nonviolence and reconciliation throughout their communities, reflecting the deep-rooted values of their faith. This initiative underscores the belief that the path to peace requires collective action and faith-based leadership in overcoming historical injustices.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
