wfn.org | Episcopal Church of Sudan rebuffs government seizures

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Episcopal Church of Sudan rebuffs government attempts to seize 
property

by James Solheim

     (ENS) The continuing confrontation between the Islamic 
government of the Sudan and the Episcopal Church of the Sudan 
reached a dangerous level with recent attempts to seize church 
property.

     According to news reports, authorities in Khartoum tried to 
confiscate church property in Omdurman after a court ordered the 
eviction on October 16. But a strong reaction from the Christian 
community led the state governor to suspend the eviction. "The 
eviction order evoked adverse reactions from the Christians and 
the governor personally ordered a stay of execution," said a 
government official. 

     It is just the latest move in a dispute that goes back to 
1991. Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum, lies in the mainly 
Islamic north. The government has been locked in a civil war 
against the mainly Christian and animist south which is seeking 
religious and political freedom.

     Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold wrote to Secretary of 
State Madeleine Albright October 18 to express the Episcopal 
Church's "deep interest in the plight of our sisters and brothers 
in the Sudan as they struggle courageously to practice their 
faith and to live in peace and safety."

Support peace process

     Griswold called attention to the church's representation at 
a recent meeting of 11 humanitarian organizations working in the 
Sudan with refugees that urged the United States to pursue peace 
negotiations. The group, which included Richard Parkins of 
Episcopal Migration Ministries, met with Albright and the newly 
appointed Special Envoy to the Sudan, Harry Johnston. "The 
purpose of the meeting was to discuss the role of the special 
envoy and to press the administration to vigorously pursue the 
peace process," said Parkins.

     Albright told the group that the peace process is hampered 
by a lack of strong allied support. Some nations, like Canada, 
have strong interest in oil reserves controlled by the Sudanese 
which "provides funds for Khartoum to buy arms and strengthen its 
military position," Parkins added.

     Griswold said in his letter that the property in Omdurman 
has been the headquarters of the Episcopal diocese since 1925, 
adding that he feared "for the safety of the unarmed clergy and 
lay persons holding vigil within the Episcopal compound." He 
expressed his hope that the international community would 
"denounce the actions of the government of the Sudan and stand in 
solidarity with those denied the right to practice their faith 
freely." He said that members of the Episcopal Church "have 
visited the Sudan and have first-hand accounts of the suffering 
as well as the courage of these remarkable people."

     "We are not temporary Sudanese, we are original Sudanese," 
said Nelson Nyumbe, secretary of ECS. About 200 church members 
gathered at the compound to pray and fast, expressing their 
determination to resist government attempts to evict them. Bishop 
Bulus Tia said that a peaceful resolution of the issue depended 
on the state governor, pointing out that "any failure to return 
our land will be cogent evidence" that accusations against 
Khartoum for persecuting Christians were true. The government has 
denied charges of persecution, as well as destruction of church 
property and attempts to convert Christians.

--James Solheim is director of News and Information for the 
Episcopal Church.