Archbishop congratulates Sudanese people on independence of South Sudan
Sunday 10th July 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent a message of greetings and congatulations to Archbishop Daniel Deng and all the Sudanese people on the independence of South Sudan.The Archbishop's message was read out in All Saints' Cathedral, Juba, at a special thanksgiving service this morning, and was shared live on South Sudan TV in a joint appearance by Archbishop Daniel Deng and Bishop Graham Kings, Bishop of Sherborne, representing the Salisbury-Sudan Link.
In his message, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave assurance of continued prayers and support:
"We will continue to pray for a peaceful transition and to support you and the whole Sudanese Church in your work towards a just and secure future for all the Sudanese people. We also continue to hold in special prayer the people of Abyei displaced from their lands and the populations at risk from conflict in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur."
Meeting in York, the Church of England's General Synod also held special prayers for the Sudanese people on the inauguration of the Republic of South Sudan. Concerns were also raised for the safety of civilian populations in the Nuba Mountains and urgent action sought to ensure their protection.