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The Death of an Archdeacon

From Rev. Michael W. Ridgway, St. Stephen-in-the-Field:

Faith J.H. McDonnell
Featured in World Magazine "Do the math" November 07, 2009

Most likely, the militia (and its sponsors) targeted Mabior because he was a prominent, beloved leader in the community. He had recently become archbishop of Twic East diocese, newly formed to accommodate the fast-growing church in Bor county, which is part of Jonglei state in South Sudan.

While the Obama administration has focused on legendary atrocities in Darfur, the western region of Sudan, the UN reports that the rate of violent deaths in South Sudan now surpasses that in Darfur. Lise Grande, UN Deputy Resident Coordinator in Southern Sudan, recently said more than 2,000 people had died and 250,000 had been displaced by inter-ethnic violence across the region.

Witnesses report that Mabior was shot twice in the legs and that his attackers may have also used a military knife called a "sonki." After the first shots, 30 men and women from the church and town, including tribal chiefs, soldiers, a university student and other youth leaders, and several of the town's oral historians, covered Mabior with their own bodies. All 30 gave their lives in their effort to protect him. Mabior died two hours later.

In the aftermath of Mabior's death the Episcopal Church of Sudan is grieving: "Everyone in the diocese of Bor and the diocese of Twic East is painfully shocked and devastated at losing Joseph. Archdeacon Mabior was a father to many and a mentor to many of us who are clergy," said John Chol Daau, a priest of Bor diocese currently studying at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pa., and a former Lost Boy of Sudan who worked closely with Mabior.

After Mabior's death, Daau phoned Nathaniel Garang, the bishop of Bor. "Son, I lost a strong man, a follower of the living Christ who never hesitated to preach the gospel of Christ to our people," Garang said as he wept. "He was like my frontline captain as he and I preached the gospel . . . a great intercessor . . . a pastor and a leader . . . full of patience and love . . . very humble. . . . He would always want to care and serve in any circumstance."

Read it all.

Interfaith clergy letter on Sudan peace delivered to White House

From Rev. Jerry Drino via the ENS:

Episcopal, other faith leaders participate in October 2 meeting

By ENS staff, October 02, 2009

[Episcopal News Service] Bishop Suffragan David Jones of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and Alexander Baumgarten, interim director of government relations for the Episcopal Church, joined faith leaders from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions for a meeting at the White House October 2 to present a copy of a letter on comprehensive peace in the Sudan signed by more than 1,400 clergy from across the United States.

The letter, organized by the Sudan Interfaith Working Group, of which the Episcopal Church is a member, urges President Barack Obama to prioritize "efforts that will bring peace to millions that live in violence and fear while lacking the basic services essential for survival."

Read it all here.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren responds to plea for action in Sudan with H.R. 2139

From Rev. Jerry Drino, Hope with Sudan:

Dear Mr. Drino:
Thank you for contacting me urging support for increased global humanitarian assistance.  I wholeheartedly agree with you that global poverty, which often results in hunger, is a pressing issue that we need to do more to help solve.  I appreciate your advocacy on this issue.

I am happy to inform you that, in part due to your advocacy, I have decided to co-sponsor H.R. 2139, the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009.  This bill would require President Obama to develop both a
comprehensive strategy for global development, as well as a system for evaluating the effectiveness of foreign assistance.  The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Although I do not sit on this committee, I will do my part to encourage the passage of this legislation.

Read Jerry’s letter and Congresswoman Lofgren’s response here.

African boy's plight spurs donation from Las Palmas girl

From Rev. Michael W. Ridgway via  Off 68:

A 12-year-old African boy who could well have lived and died unknown to any American is being mourned locally by members of the Episcopal church — and particularly by 11-year-old Holly Kasten of Las Palmas Ranch.

Holly, who has epilepsy, was feeling glum about a prolonged seizure she had experienced while swimming when she heard a sermon this past summer by the Right Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real.

The bishop described an encounter she had had with a boy named Sadiki while she was traveling on church business in Tanzania with two other bishops.

When the Land Rover the bishops were riding in stopped briefly in the road, Sadiki came racing out of the bush, trying to sell sugar cane. His face was terribly disfigured — it "was one, open, oozing sore," Gray-Reeves said in an interview last week — and a visible expression of horror on her own face caused the driver to speed off.

Read it all

In Darfur, Absence Of Fighting Doesn’t Equal Peace

From Rev. Michael Ridgway, St. Stephens-in-the-Field via National Public Radio:

U.S. and international officials say the situation in Sudan's war-torn region of Darfur is improving, but that is little comfort to Darfuris, who have a very different perspective. The situation in Darfur now may not qualify as war, but many say it doesn't look like peace, either.

The outgoing commander of the international peacekeeping force in Darfur, Nigerian Gen. Martin Agwai, said in late August that the war there is essentially over. The new U.S. envoy to the region, Scott Gration, says he has noticed encouraging changes as well.

Gration says the fighting has lessened significantly between militias loyal to the Sudanese government and rebel groups. The war that has reportedly killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions is now dormant.

Read or listen to it all.

Appeal for Political Action – Sudan

From Rev. Jerry Drino, Hope with Sudan:

Attached are ten files all containing information as to how we can support political action on behalf of Sudan.  Readers are encouraged to review these resources and meet with members of congress and raise awareness; take action.

9/1/09 Appeal from the Archbishop of Sudan

1. US Policy in Sudan – What is at Stake
2. Talking Points for Meeting
3. Sudan Peace – Episcopal News Service 9/09
4. Some Pointers on Meeting with Members of Congress
5. Letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
6. Letter to Members of Congress
7. General Convention Resolution (Adobe Reader required )
8. Avoiding Total War in Sudan
9. Appeal for Political Action for Sudan 9-09
10. Advocacy Position August 4th