Andrea Mann and Bishop Peter Coffin.
Dr. Andrea Mann and Bishop Peter Coffin, Bishop of the Military Ordinariate, attended the Enthronement celebrations of The Most Rev. Daniel Deng Bul, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and Bishop of Juba. Bishop Coffin was the Primate’s respresentative from the Anglican Church of Canada.
Their visit from the 19th to the 25th of April, 2008 included a trip to the Diocese of Lainya, Southern Sudan.
“We are here together so we might know one another, so we will know one another when next we meet, so you will know them when you see them”.
With these remarks the Most Reverend Daniel Deng Bul, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and Bishop of the Diocese of Juba, opened his Enthronement address on April 20, 2008, and introduced his family to the more than 1000 people still gathered around All Saints Cathedral, Juba.
Archbishop Daniel Deng’s words were a compelling beginning to the text of his first formal, public message. The introduction of his family, and his purpose in doing so, declared unequivocally the importance he places in meeting, remembering, recognizing each another ‘face to face’ as Anglican sisters and brothers in Christ, members of God’s church in the world.
Archbishop Daniel continued: meeting the needs of the people of Sudan through loving service has always been the church’s mission. The ECS supported people during the long years of war, supported the peace talks, continues to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), seeks an end to the humanitarian crisis and suffering of people in Darfur, and commits itself to the needs of those now returning from refugee camps
The ECS recognizes an essential element of moving forward toward lasting peace, love and unity in Sudan, is working toward the eradication of tribalism, nepotism, and corruption in elected leaders. It calls upon other Sudanese churches and church partners globally to join them in this work, and to speed up and insist upon the implementation of the CPA and resolution of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
African partner The Most Rev. Emmanuel Kolini, Primate, Eglise Episcopale du Rwanda, encouraged the ECS and all accordingly: Before ECS existed, God knew it would come into being, knew what you would experience, knew what you are facing. You are either ready for what comes next or you are not. The option: exile, being second-class citizens in a country that will never be home. Instead, the Lord has brought you to this place to do this work now.
Over the past 20 years, partnership between the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the Anglican Church of Canada has developed between parishes, dioceses and national programs of both churches. Today, many southern Sudanese Anglicans have settled in Canadian parishes or established mission congregations where Sudanese languages and leadership are intrinsic to worship and community service.
Many Canadian and Sudanese Anglicans are active in monitoring the Comprehensive Peace Agreement; active ecumenically, through the Sudan Council of Church, KAIROS, and World Council of Churches, in efforts to hold the Government of Sudan accountable for an end to the humanitarian disaster in Darfur.
Partners in Mission & Ecojustice (PMEJ) through its Global Relations program has historically supported a number of southern dioceses of the ECS, and more recently, the ECS Provincial office and the national Bishop Gwynne Theological College, Juba. For the past three years, an annual grant has been sent in full to the Province for re-establishing a national office in Juba. To date, the Juba office has been opened and become operational through the financial support of Canadian Anglicans and church organizations in the UK and USA, though infrastructure needs continue.
Provincial infrastructure notwithstanding, the most pressing current ECS priority is the establishment of infrastructure in almost all of the church’s 24 (soon to be 31) dioceses. A vehicle for each diocesan bishop, short wave radios for improved communications, trained administrative office staff are urgently needed. Priority program areas in nearly every diocese include resettlement of returning refugees and internally displaced peoples, literacy and job training programs for youth and young adults disenfranchised during the war, and primary schooling for girls.
At present, no Canadian Anglican dioceses are in companion relationships with dioceses of the ECS. Canadian dioceses interested in forming such companionships are encouraged to do so. Increasing numbers of Sudanese Anglicans are actively committing themselves and their communities to leadership in the Anglican Church of Canada. This is a vitally important time in the history and development of the ECS. Intentional companionship between Canadian and Sudanese Anglican dioceses hold the promise of exciting, challenging, meaningful relationship for all involved.
At present, and historically, no Canadian Anglican has served in the ECS as a Volunteer in Mission. Canadian volunteers with specific skills in office management, stewardship and financial development, teaching, and medicine would be welcome. Working conditions would at times be very challenging as the church begins its rebuilding from the ground up.
The Anglican Church of Canada has also supported theological training and education for laity and clergy in ECS. Assurance was given by The Rt. Rev. Hilary Garang, Diocese of Malakal, and Chair of Provincial Theological Education Commission, that the re-institution of academically credible theological education and training was a high priority for the church at every level. Parishes and dioceses are clear and insistent about the need for well-educated clergy and lay workers. The Provincial Theological Education Commission has identified specific development priorities based on the Strategic Plan for Theological Education and Training endorsed by the General Synod, December 2006. Further clarification of next steps in implementing the plan is expected in May 2008 during the Commission’s next meeting.
A third and new area of consideration for Anglican Church of Canada and ECS partnership, emerges from the diverse Sudanese Anglican community in dioceses across Canada. Global Relations has been invited by Emmanuel Mission, Winnipeg to consider how we might work together, and with others, in enabling Canadian Sudanese support of ECS development priorities. Such support is and has been underway between Canadian Sudanese and ECS parishes for some time. A broader consultation between Global Relations and local Canadian Sudanese Anglicans holds the promise of exciting collaboration towards mutually beneficial church growth and mission.
As the Rt. Rev. Peter Coffin and I, prepared to take our leave, The Rt. Rev. Peter Amidi, Bishop of the Diocese of Lainya, spoke these sobering and inspiring words:
We want to begin in a humble way. During the war, there was nothing here but trees and fear. Today, a generation of traumatized youth and young adults, coming of age during the war, has few work prospects. Many are illiterate, or literate at a very basic level with few if any skills. The diocese wants to help these young men and women train for entry into peacetime economy and village life. Programs in carpentry, machinery, mechanics, masonry and sustainable agriculture are planned. Men and women will be encouraged to enrol.
Let us pray for Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, the House of Bishops, Provincial Officers, Mothers Union, and Sudan Development and Relief Agency of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, as they begin to lead the church in ministries towards lasting peace and unity with justice for all Sudanese people.
Let us pray for the safe return of refugees and displaced families, and for their fruitful resettlement upon lands and fields long fallow.
Let us pray for the building of secure houses and villages and healthy communities, good roads and bridges, accessible schools and hospitals.
May the Anglican Church of Canada continue to be an active, faithful partner in mission with the Episcopal Church of Sudan. May we together be ready for what comes next, for the work God places before us now. Amen.
Andrea Mann
Global Relations Coordinator
Partnerships
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- Andrea Mann and Bishop Peter Coffin.
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