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: security forces and congregants clash in Bor, 4 injured
Four people were injured when members of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) in Bor town, Jonglei State clashed with security forces at the church premises on Saturday.
The clashes reportedly erupted following a misunderstanding between the congregants and the forces deployed to shut down the Langbar (B) St. Peter Parish.
According to the police, the shutdown was intended to halt simmering tensions between two ECSS factions in Bor.
The August defrocking of the Bishop of the Jonglei Internal Province Reuben Akurdit Ngong by the ECSS primate Justin Badi Arama over disobedience saw the church divided as Akurdit rejected the move.