The guidelines are contained in a booklet titled “Active Non-Violence,” the work of the South Sudan Council of Churches and PAX, the largest peace organization in the Netherlands.
On its cover is a map of South Sudan, on which a dove—the global sign of peace—is symbolically flying above, while bearing an olive branch.
Rev. Tut Kony Nyang, general secretary of the South Sudan Council of Churches told the launch that the message of nonviolence was not merely a strategy for peace, but a reflection of the Gospel itself—the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
“As leaders, you stand at the forefront of shaping hearts and minds, guiding communities towards reconciliation, justice, and unity,” said the leader.
Nyang, a Presbyterian pastor, was elected to the post in December, replacing the Catholic priest, Rev. James Oyet Latansio, who had completed his term.
The South Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church minister will lead the ecumenical grouping of seven member churches and associate members for next four years.
According to the leader, the booklet is a powerful tool the church leaders can use to deepen their understanding on nonviolence, as part of their divine mandate and practical way of life.
“It challenges us to reject hatred, vengeance, and division, instead embracing love, forgiveness, and dialogue as pathways to true and lasting peace,” said Nyang.
He encouraged the church leaders’ active engagement with their congregations on nonviolence through preaching on the pulpits and in Bible studies.
“May our churches become sanctuaries of hope and transformation, equipping our communities to overcome conflicts and injustices with courage and grace,” appealed the cleric.
The process of compiling the booklet started in April 2022, when South Sudanese church leaders met in Lukenya, near Nairobi, to reaffirm their unity.
At the meeting, they also recommitted to the 2015 Kigali statement of intent and ecumenical Action Plan for Peace in South Sudan, and called for a new culture and lifestyle of nonviolence.
In a followup meeting in Kit, South Sudan in March 2023, the leaders reaffirmed the need to develop a concept of an introduction to nonviolence for their country. The meeting had reviewed the call to nonviolence by Pope Francis, the former Archbishop of Justin Welby of Canterbury, and Rev. Dr Iain Greenshields, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, during their ecumenical pilgrimage in February 2023.
Then, the churches made a request to PAX to develop an introductory resource on nonviolence for the people of South Sudan.
The organization has been working with the Action Plan for Peace since 2018 and now supports four churches in its implementation.
Emmanuel Ira, PAX South Sudan country director said the organizations developed the booklet to help bring about just peace for the people.
“We want to break this culture that most people think that South Sudanese are violent communities. This is the beginning that this tool is going to help break this perception of violence,” Ira said.
Churches condemn violence against Christians in Sudan (WCC news release, 12 December 2024)