The Vatican has sent a delegation
led by Cardinal John Njue of Nairobi, Kenya, to join in celebrations as
southern Sudan formally proclaims its independence on July 9.
Southern Sudan is becoming
independent of the northern government in Khartoum as the result of a
referendum, which in turn was organized after a peace accord ended the nation’s
long and bloody civil war. Archbishop Leo Boccardi, the apostolic nuncio to
Sudan, will also attend the independence ceremonies in Juba, the capital of the
new nation.
“With this celebration of
independence we are saying goodbye to the past and embracing a new thing,” said
Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako of Khartoum. Rejoicing that a peaceful end had
been found to the conflict, Cardinal Wako said that “in all dioceses there will
be celebrations with dance and song in thanksgiving to God and the
acknowledgement of the good that those who have worked for peace have achieved
in the country.”
In Rome, Father Federico
Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, issued a statement calling
for other world leaders to “support Sudan and the newly independent state” in
their efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous future. The Vatican spokesman
noted that the Holy See has had diplomatic ties to Khartoum since 1972 and “will
give due consideration to any request from the government of Southern Sudan.”
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