In 2022, Pax Christi International, a Catholic movement to promote peace of which the Comboni Sisters are members, organized a training on non-violence for religious Sisters in South Sudan. It was the first major initiative in the Country, and it focused on the meaning and practice of non-violence as a style of life for peace.
The hope was that religious Sisters, through the networks of their ministries would, in turn, promote the values linked to non-violence so that the training initiative would not remain an isolated episode but its message would spread with a ripple effect, thus promoting change. This is actually happening because the 13 Sisters from various congregations who participated in the Pax Christi training are actively involved in organizing programs on the use of non-violence as an effective means to achieve peace. They are doing this with students of all levels and parish groups.
As South Sudan is still grappling with conflict and violence, the Sisters and many people in the Country are looking at the visit of Pope Francis as an event that will boost the much needed peace and stability in South Sudan. In his 2017 message for the World Peace Day, by the telling title “Nonviolence – A Style of Politics for Peace”, the Pope talked particularly to the politicians, launching the revolutionary message that peaceful coexistence in our world can be promoted by governments without using violent methods. This message is as timely as ever in South Sudan and beyond. Francis will not miss the chance to emphasize it with the leaders of this Country, with whom he has kept a friendly relationship since their visit to the Vatican in 2019.
Pictures of the visit (2023)
Elena Balatti, cms
Missionary in South Sudan
