A fresh dispute has emerged between the rival bishops of the Episcopal Church in Jonglei State on jurisdiction over the church's branches in the neighboring Uganda and Kenya.
Photo Credit: ACNS
Police in the Jonglei State capital, Bor have confirmed the expulsion of two Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) bishops from the state over the weekend, citing security concerns.
Bishop Gabriel Kuc of ECSS Kongoor Diocese and his Wangolei Diocese colleague Bishop Zechariah Manyyok Biar arrived Bor Saturday morning, prompting a chaotic scene at the Bor airport as security apparatus tried to expel the two bishops.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Tuesday, Lt. Colonel John Mawut Ngang, the state police spokesperson, said they had to expel the two bishops Saturday because they defied a government order banning any ECSS bishop from going to Jonglei until the ongoing leadership dispute is resolved, saying their presence would incite violence among the faithful.
ECSS crisis: Government bans Christmas processions in Bor
Authorities in the Jonglei State capital, Bor, have banned processions and all other Christmas-related events amidst rising tensions over leadership of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) in the state.
In Jonglei, ECSS members often hold processions and night prayers on the eve of Christmas and New Year days, during which they seek repentance, forgiveness, and harmonious living.
However this year, as a result of tensions emanating from the defrocking of Reuben Akurdit of the Jonglei internal province in August, Duom Kuol Ager, the secretary-general of Jonglei State, said Christians will not be allowed to huddle for celebrations during the festivities to avoid violence among the rival ECSS camps.