Dr. Justin Badi Arama, formerly Bishop of Maridi in the Equatoria region and currently serving as steering committee chairman of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Provinces, has served as Primate of the Episcopal Church of South since 2019.
The Provincial Secretary of the ECS, the Rev. Peter Garang Deng, responded recently to e-mail questions posed by AFRECS Executive Director Dane Smith. (Responses edited for brevity and clarity.)
What are the main issues the Church is facing at this difficult time in South Sudan?
The same challenges that citizens go through– Insecurity due to internal conflicts, economic challenges, and weak external relations
Archbishop Justin Badi Arama has over the years been active in promoting peace in South Sudan. What is his current focus?
Archbishop still keeps the same focus through Episcopal Mediation Advisory Team (EMAT), the ECSS peace wing. He also encourages the dioceses through their internal provinces, pastoral counselling, preaching of the word of God, and peace messages.
He has told me that the Episcopal University is a priority for him. How is that evolving? We have been able to raise scholarship funds for the University.
Through your efforts, students are able to continue with their studies once their fees are paid, accommodation, writing materials, and other needs are provided. The level of dropout is reduced because Primate was able to sponsor the needy students. In return, these pastors will be able to go and share the Gospel to their local congregations.
Has the fighting in the Nasir area and more recently in Kajo-Keji, as well as more random violence in the country, affected different ECSS dioceses?
Loss of lives. Destruction of the properties. Displacements. No access to food, clean water, or health facilities. There are no farming activities as a result of conflict and fear.
How are the problems of inflation and reported shortages of currency affecting the Church?
Since Church is part and parcel of the affected communities, we are equally affected. Church member livelihood is affected. Poor living standards affect school children and elderly ones. Development projects are on hold. Pastors and local evangelists face transportation challenges as they share the gospel in their congregations and dioceses– vulnerable to diseases.
I can summarize the needs of the ECSS family in South Sudan: 1. Humanitarian support to Nasir and Kajo Keji populations. 2. Peace and reconciliation activities support. 3. Pastors’ training support, through The Episcopal University and the constituent colleges.