A female governor leading Western Bahr El Ghazal State in South Sudan has recognized what she termed as the positive role that the Catholic Church leadership plays in maintaining peaceful coexistence through the promotion of values of peace and tolerance that have an influence on attitudes and behaviors.  

Speaking during her courtesy visit to the Apostolic Administrator of South Sudan Sudan’s Diocese of Wau Wednesday, November 4, the State Governor Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial said, “We are very happy with the role of the Catholic Church in keeping our communities peaceful in this State and also in other dioceses in South Sudan.”

“Towards the end of the year 2020, we hope to celebrate a colourful Christmas together with all our citizens in Wau,” Governor Cleto added.  

The Governor was appointed in June as the only woman among eight Governors of South Sudan’s ten States and three Chief Administrators for the areas of Pibor, Ruweng, and Abyei.

The Apostolic Administrator of Wau, Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mula thanked Governor Cleto for her courtesy call and expressed his appreciation for the cohesion among the people of God in Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

“I know that the faith here is very strong and the people do not discriminate against each other on the basis of the different places they come from,” Archbishop Ameyu who is the Local Ordinary of Juba Archdiocese said.

The Archbishop who also administers his native Diocese of Torit further said, “I am from the extreme east and they are from the extreme west but they still welcome me not as a stranger but as a brother coming to lead them.”

“We have also concurred with the governor that this year’s Christmas will be celebrated in a very peaceful way,” the South Sudanese Archbishop said November 4.