a priest's musings on the journey

O God, the One who is steadfast in the midst of persecution, by your providence the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church: Grant that we who remember before you the blessed martyrs of the Sudan, may, like them, be steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ, to whom they refuse to abandon, even in the face of death, and by their sacrifice brought forth a plentiful harvest, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The Christian bishops, chiefs, commanders, clergy and people of Sudan declared, on May 16, 1983, that they would not abandon God as God had revealed himself to them under threat of Shariah Law imposed by the fundamentalist Islamic government in Khartoum. Until a peace treaty was signed on January 9, 2005, the Episcopal Church of the Province of the Sudan suffered from persecution and devastation through twenty-two years of civil war. Two and a half million people were killed, half of whom were members of this church. Many clergy and lay leaders were singled out because of their religious leadership in their communities. No buildings, including churches and schools, are left standing in an area the size of Alaska. Four million people are internally displaced, and a million are scattered around Africa and beyond in the Sudanese Diaspora. Twenty-two of the twenty-four dioceses exist in exile in Uganda or Kenya, and the majority of the clergy are unpaid. Only 5% of the population of Southern Sudan was Christian in 1983. Today over 85% of that region of six million is now mostly Episcopalian or Roman Catholic. A faith rooted deeply in the mercy of God has renewed their spirits through out the years of strife and sorrow.

From the proposal before the 75th General Convention



There is a video about the journey for peace and the work of the New Sudan Council of churches here. Sorry, it can't be embedded here. There is information about the Episcopal Presence there.


The icon of Our Lady of Darfur was written by Luiz Coelho - link on left-Wandering Christian.

Hey Rob and Luiz -- May I lift Luiz's icon and post it on my blog? With attribution of course and with a link to your post, Rob.

Let me know... Peace to you and prayers for our sisters and brothers in Sudan.

o yes please do

Done! Thanks. (Actually I already posted it an hour or two ago, anticipating your kindness.)

Rob+ What a great site. I also posted the icon with reference to Luis and your web site.

That is a striking picture...:( Do you mind if I post it on my blog?

Sure, Eric. Please feel free to post it. The more awareness that can be raised about Sudan the better. Pax