Loading...Bishop Terry White prepared a letter to be read July 9, 2011 at Resurrection Church in Louisville, where a Sudanese congregation meets. The letter, presented by Resurrection's rector, the Rev. Suzanne Warner. include the bishop's reflections on the birth of a new nation, the Republic of South Sudan, and a prayer written by the bishops of The Episcopal Church for the people of the Sudan.
Greetings from The Rt. Rev. Terry A White, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky
Celebration of Independence of the Republic of South Sudan
July 9, 2011,
My sisters and brothers,
On this historic day it is right and good to offer prayers to Almighty God for the people of the Republic of South Sudan on the nation's Day of Independence, and for the people of Sudan. Even as the results of the referendum are being implemented, there is still much work to do for peace to take root and grow. The Episcopal Church of the Sudan, its people, clergy, and bishops, are working tirelessly, courageously, and sacrificially to create a lasting peace, to build hospitals and schools, to speak out against oppression, and to respect the dignity of every human being who is made in God's own image.
The Lord Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, ever confident that God's ways lead us into paths of peace. Let us pray for our sisters and brothers who have given their lives for others, and may this day of Independence be a time to recommit to Our Lord's teaching: blessed are the peacemakers.
The Archbishop of the Church of the Sudan, the Most Reverend Daniel Deng Bul Yak, has called upon Anglican Christian throughout the world, and all people of goodwill, to pray for the Sudanese people of the two nations, that they may be delivered from trauma and distress. Archbishop Daniel writes: "The clergy and laity of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan believe they serve a living God unimpeded by political boundaries. We strive to remain one church, united in the Body of Christ and steadfast in the midst of this current tribulation." He asks that we all pray that Almighty God may "touch the hearts and minds of the compassionate and the able, and guide them in their defense of the oppressed."
Archbishop Daniel, in his sermon on Easter Day, said: Come the Day of Independence, "let corruption die with tribalism and nepotism. It is time to turn the hatred into love and forgive and reconcile each other. ... It is time to transform the community. Let us change our hearts and heal the wounds of the weak. Let us begin today to separate personal interest from the common interest.
Let us unite and forgive each other and let us go to the new promised land clean and transformed, with a change of heart."
Let this day be an occasion for celebration, prayer, and a time to recommit to God's vision where the wolf plays with the lamb, and weapons are forged into plows and pruning hooks, so that all God's people may live in safety and peace.
I wish to close these remarks with a prayer for Independence composed by The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan. Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
We give you all the honour and the praise as we celebrate the wonderful independence you have given us.
You have led your children across the river, bringing an end to our slavery and abuse.
We have left behind the pain and suffering of so many years of oppression.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. May those who surrendered their lives for the freedom we now enjoy, rest in perfect and everlasting peace in your kingdom.
Let your Holy Spirit guide and protect us as we strive for the peace, freedom and stability we have longed for in this land.
Show us how to love one another as you have so commanded us to do.
Unite us to each other and to yourself.
Cancel any plans of tribalism, corruption, injustice, division and greed that may linger in the hearts of your children causing us to live in darkness and confusion.
And grant us your grace and blessings in abundance as we build this new nation of South Sudan for your glory in accordance with your holy will.
We ask this in the name of your Son, our Saviour and Friend, Jesus Christ. Amen.
