Nuncio asks for prayers and action for war-torn Sudan
By Francesca Sabatinelli and Linda Bordoni
Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, has completed a ten-day visit to Sudan, where he carried a message of closeness and solidarity from Pope Leo XIV to the country’s Catholic community amid the ongoing civil war.
The war, which began in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has resulted in waves of killings, mass displacement and what the United Nations has referred to as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Thousands of civilians have been killed, villages and farmlands destroyed, and nearly 12 million people driven from their homes – over four million as refugees into neighbouring countries.
Speaking to Vatican News, the nuncio said, “I’m just arriving at the end of a ten-day visit to Sudan, to the Church in Sudan and to the country which I have long wished to make being nuncio in South Sudan,” he said, noting that he also has responsibility for Sudan at this time.
The Archbishop explained that his principal intention was “to bring a word of closeness and of encouragement from the Pope to this much tried local church in Sudan, and especially in these last two years, when a terrible civil war has raged.”
Prayers for peace and closeness to Catholics
He said that the Catholic community “has been very, very hard pressed from every side,” and that the nuncio’s presence was warmly welcomed: “The fact of the nuncio’s arrival and the fact of his bringing a message of solidarity and of closeness from the Pope has, thank God, been very greatly welcomed by the Catholics here.”
During his visit, Archbishop Horgan celebrated Mass with communities in Khartoum, Atbara, Omdurman, and Port Sudan.
“In every occasion the faithful participated in large numbers and with joy, with enthusiasm,” he said. “I was very happy to be able to communicate this message to them. And I think the presence of the nuncio is symbolic for them. It meant that the wider Church was expressing its concern and assuring its prayers.”
Prayers for peace were central at each gathering. “We prayed on each of these occasions, of course, for peace in the nation, and for the Catholics in this nation who have been so sorely tested. And indeed, everybody in this nation is being thoroughly tested by this terrible war,” the nuncio said.
Meetings with political authorities
The Archbishop also met with members of Sudan’s transitional government in Port Sudan. He expressed the Holy See’s principles regarding the future constitutional order, underlining the importance of “freedom of religion and freedom of culture.”
He noted that officials were “very receptive and glad that the visit had been made,” and that they “appreciated the Pope’s concerns for Sudan and his concern for peace.”
He stressed that war affects all alike: “This war has shown that Christians and Muslims suffer the same fate. When there’s a war, everyone suffers together. And to overcome this war, we must work together to rebuild Sudan.”
Gratitude to Church leaders and missionaries
Archbishop Horgan was accompanied throughout his journey by Archbishop Michael Didi of Khartoum and met with priests, Comboni Missionaries, and other missionaries serving in Port Sudan.
He expressed gratitude “for their fidelity in very, very trying circumstances.”
Reflecting on the visit, he said: “I thank God that the trip was able to occur, that it unfolded in safety, because of course, the country is still quite unstable and the situation is unforeseeable. Still, I thank God that it unfolded safely and that we were able to achieve what we wanted to and particularly that we were able to meet with the Christian communities and assure them of the closeness of the Church.”
Prayers for Sudan
In concluding his message, Archbishop Horgan asked for the prayers of the wider Church.
“That’s why I’m happy also to have this opportunity to communicate to you and to your listeners and to those who follow the Vatican media,” he said, “and ask them for their prayers too, and their actions for whatever can be done in bringing an end to this cruel civil war in Sudan.”
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