Lakes State, South Sudan
January 7, 2022—The police in Awerial County of Lakes State has arrested 5 people who were involved in a violence during a church service in Mingkaman town over the weekend.
According to a statement released to media, members of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS), who were predominantly displaced from Jonglei State, were the ones involved in the violence which left 5 people injured in Awerial.
Speaking to media, John Bol Tier, the county police inspector said the incident occurred after ECSS members from rivaling camps failed to reach consensus over procession arrangements.
Mr.Bol pointed out that five suspects are being investigated pending a court arraignment.
“The 5 ringleaders are with us in detention. Investigations are still ongoing and as soon as they are complete, they will be presented before a court for trial,” Mr. Bol confirmed to media.
For his part, Simon Jok Geng, Awerial County commissioner, said he was disappointed by the violence that erupted on Sunday and appeals to Christians to be illustrative in leadership.
David Akau, the ECSS Bishop of Awerial Diocese, also condemned such stalemates in the ECSS saying that all the clergymen involved will face law.
“Those who caused the problems within the church are going to be disciplined. So, we are going to carry out some investigations,” Bishop Akau said.
According to Akua, those who will be found guilty to have been involved are going to be punished to show other people that the church has effective legal system.
It’s not the first time for church leaders to engage in violence over religious matters.
In August last year, the ECSS in Bor, Jonglei State, split after Bishop Reuben Akurdit of the church’s Jonglei internal province was defrocked by Primate Justin Badi Arama leading to internal struggle in the church in Jonglei State. While one group welcomed the defrocking, the other insisted the defrocking over alleged canonical disobedience and misconduct was nonprocedural.
The Akurdit camp went to the High Court in Juba to protest his relief but the church insisted that their matter would be resolved through church mechanisms.
