Catholic bishops in Sudan and South Sudan are advocating for tax exemptions to enable the Church to allocate more resources toward its community services amid ongoing conflicts in the region. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla emphasizes the Church’s role in fostering peace and addressing humanitarian needs.
Recently, Catholic bishops in Sudan and South Sudan urged their governments to exempt the Church from taxation. During a meeting of the Episcopal Conference on February 18, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, the Archbishop of Juba, emphasized the Church’s need for this exemption to better support its pastoral activities and community services. He stated that alleviating the financial burden is vital for the Church to thrive within the communities it serves.
Both Sudan and South Sudan have faced severe conflicts that have deeply affected their societies. Following its independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan fell into turmoil over power struggles, resulting in nearly 400,000 deaths and millions of displaced persons. Despite the establishment of a coalition government in 2020, violence persists.
In Sudan, conflict erupted two years ago between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to 12 million individuals displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance. The nation has felt the impact of funding reductions from USAID, prompting agencies like Caritas Internationalis and Cafod to call for increased international aid, aligning with requests from the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs and the UN Refugee Agency.
Cardinal Mulla highlighted the necessity for the Church to provide a robust response to these ongoing crises. He noted, “As we reflect on the current situation in Sudan and South Sudan, we must acknowledge the many challenges that confront us.” He expressed that the Church serves not only as a spiritual guide but as an important entity within the social and economic spheres, underlining the importance of efforts in education, moral development, and inter-religious dialogue to foster peace and unity within the communities.
In summary, the Catholic bishops in Sudan and South Sudan are advocating for tax exemptions to enhance the Church’s capacity to support pastoral and community services amidst ongoing conflicts. Cardinal Mulla stresses that financial relief is crucial for the Church to fulfill its social mission effectively, especially in light of the humanitarian crises faced by both nations. Enhanced support for the Church could contribute significantly to peace-building and community stability in these regions.
Original Source: www.thetablet.co.uk
