wfn.org | Bishop from Sierra Leone tells stories of survival

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

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99-108

Bishop from Sierra Leone tells chilling stories of surviving 
civil war

by James Solheim

     (ENS) In a surprisingly calm voice, the bishop tells the 
harrowing stories of how he and his family escaped death during 
the recent civil war in Sierra Leone, but watched the destruction 
of church properties.

     During what Bishop Julius Lynch described as a "reign of 
terror" by rebels in the region around the capital city of 
Freetown, churches were destroyed and families fled for their 
lives. In conversations with church, government and civil rights 
agencies in the United States in July, he described his direct 
encounters with the rebels.

     At one point the rebels seized three boys from the church's 
school, took them down to the nearby docks, shot them and dumped 
their bodies into the harbor. The bishop went to the docks where 
he confronted the rebel commander and extracted a promise of 
safety for church personnel and property.  Yet the bishop and the 
other families seeking safety in the church compound abandoned 
the houses and sought refuge in the school for several weeks. In 
the end, Bishopscourt, the houses and offices of the diocese, 
escaped damage.

     Lynch said that the churches became targets because they had 
been so outspoken against the atrocities by the rebels, 
particularly the practice of maiming civilians, including many 
children.

     When the rebels and attacked and burned Holy Trinity, the 
largest parish in the diocese, they intended to kill the vicar 
and his family but got drunk on the communion wine, allowing them 
to escape. He reported that others were not so lucky, that two 
priests are still missing. 

Future depends on peace

     Addressing the future now that a cease-fire is in effect, he 
said that "everything hinges on peace--lasting peace." Yet he 
expressed deep concern for the transitional government, which 
includes rebel factions, because it is "not quite acceptable to 
the people." And he added, "Most of us are bleeding, left 
mourning the loss of our loved ones. That leaves the church with 
the difficult task of preaching reconciliation, even though it is 
difficult to forget the atrocities." He admitted that the only 
way forward might be to "stand up, forget the past and build for 
the future."

     Lynch blamed the United Kingdom for not stepping into the 
situation in its former colony before it got out of hand. And he 
is convinced that the United Nations must provide a strong 
presence to monitor the peace process and the agreement hammered 
out in July after a brutal eight-year civil war. 	

     In July, forces from West African nations overthrew the 
Revolutionary United Front that had toppled the elected 
government in 1977. Lynch expressed some optimism that this 
agreement would hold, unlike two previous attempts, because of UN 
presence and support. But he is clearly worried that the nations 
of the West show little inclination to be involved and "peace may 
not work if they remain silent."

Amnesty is controversial

     The amnesty provision of the agreement is controversial, 
however, but seems to be the only realistic option, in his 
opinion. The rebels were promised "an absolute and free pardon 
and reprieve" under provisions of the agreement signed July 7 in 
nearby Togo. The provision has been denounced by Human Rights 
Watch and Amnesty International. One British diplomat was quoted 
as describing the agreement as "a very dirty deal but 
unfortunately the only one available." The UN representative at 
the signing even added a disclaimer, stating that he could not 
support amnesty for those guilty of genocide or war crimes 
because they are forbidden by international law.

     Even with the agreement, Lynch said that it is very 
difficult to determine the real agenda of the rebels, now that 
they will be part of the provisional government. "But we can't 
rebuild without peace," he said. And even then the road ahead 
will be very difficult because those who have been maimed were 
needed to work the farms. "The economy is devastated and we are 
listed now as the poorest country in the world," he added. "The 
task of reconstruction is going to be long and very difficult." 

     Richard Parkins, head of Episcopal Migration Ministries for 
the Episcopal Church, has visited Sierra Leone and praised the 
bishop and his clergy for their "astonishing courage" and 
witness. He noted that there is little support for refugees from 
Sierra Leone.

     During his visit, Lynch had very productive conversations at 
the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, Human Rights Watch 
and church leaders.

--James Solheim is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of 
News and Information.