Very rarely do I venture into the realm of politics on my blog. Mama always told me there are some things you don't discuss in polite society. These are politics, religion, and sex. Seeing as how I've violated her proscription on religion and sex on these very pages, let's go for a troika and blast the politics taboo as well.
Here's the background. Several years ago, a young priest from the diocese of Renk came to our parish as a home-away-from-home parish while he was studying at seminary. Renk is in Southern Sudan. He brought with him stories of genocide, Arabic north against the native African south (mostly indigenous Dinka), Islamic north against the traditionally Christian south. This was before Darfur. This was before George Clooney and the world wanted to help.
Our parish partnered with the diocese of Renk to build schools, buy a seed drive, establish a health clinic. Our parish became a refuge for the Lost Boys and Sudanese families driven from their homeland by rape, murder, slavery, hunger, and war.
In the almost 60 years of Sudanese independence, almost 40 of those years have been engulfed by Civil War. There is a current peace agreement between the north and the south. On the 9th of January 2011, the southern Sudanese will vote on whether to remain part of Sudan or become an independent country.
No, we can't vote on that referendum. What we can do is urge our Senators and Congressmen to support southern Sudan's efforts to create a new nation. The Sudan Peace and Stability Act of 2010 offers American help to achieve the goals of the peace agreement while holding southern Sudan accountable.
There is a real chance for peace. At the same time there is a real threat that Sudan could erupt into violence along the lines of Rwanda. Will we stand by and let another Rwanda happen?
Regardless of whether you, like I, consider the southern Sudanese brothers and sisters in Christ, I would hope that we all agree that killing another human being for the simple reason that he or she is of a different tribe or ethnic group is wrong.
That's why you're getting a twofer blog today. That's why I'm urging you to stand for peace, freedom, and democracy in a part of the world that has been suffering for so long. That's why I'm asking you to ask your Representatives to support the Sudan Peace and Stability Act of 2010.
Peace be with you.
Sunday
3 weeks ago
I don't watch a lot of news because of all the atrocities inflicted so I thank you for bringing this to my attention.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. This is something dear to my heart, too. Thanks for giving us the heads up on concrete action we can do.
ReplyDeleteSo many things need to change. I would like to see political agendas stopped and the real work begin. Blessings,
ReplyDeleteFine post.
ReplyDeleteWhat has been happening in the Sudan is sad and horrific. I think we won't intervene in the end because unlike the Middle East they have no substantial oil reserves for us to take but I remain hopeful I guess.
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You
~Ron
Very thought provoking blog, and I like you don't normally like discussing politics, obviosuly because it's such a touchfire subject. Like Loach above I think we nor probably the other nations won't become involved as there are no riches to be had from it.
ReplyDeleteThe world has become a very evil place with wars almost everywhere, we consider ourselves very fortunate in the UK we are spared much of this carnage and pain, for now, but the way things are going I wouldn't be surprised for things to descend into chaos, mainly because of the uncontrolled immigration of legal and illegal immigrants, oh don't get me started.
The best way to stop war eventaully would be to forbid the making and selling of arms, but then that would be too easy wouldn't it.