The Moru congregations in Western Equatoria State have rejected Juba Diocese’s decision to suspend their priests, calling the action unjustified and a clear overreach of authority.
This rejection comes amid rising tension and an apparent leadership wrangle within the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, after Primate Dr. Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop of Juba, suspended 20 priests from the internal province of Amadi.
In a statement seen by this publication, Canon Issac Oniel, the head of the Moru congregations, noted that the leadership further dismissed as baseless the accompanying claims that Moru congregations are causing disturbances during worship and praise, particularly when conducting services in their native languages.
The congregation leadership views these accusations as a pretext for the suspensions, asserting that their traditional forms of worship are being unfairly targeted.
“The Moru Congregation does not recognize the suspension of its clergy by the Juba Diocese, labelling the move as unjustified and outside the Diocese’s authority. The leadership also rejected claims that the congregation caused disturbances, questioning whether praise and worship in their mother tongue could be considered disruptive,” read the statement.
Emphasizing their historical roots dating back to 1937 and ownership of church land legally acquired from the government, the congregations reaffirmed their commitment to worship and glorify God with renewed vigor, regardless of external pressures.
The congregation further demands autonomy, reclamation of their property, and freedom for their clergy.
“The congregation laid out several conditions for future cooperation, including recognition of their status, return of church documents, freedom of clergy to choose affiliations, and cessation of harassment and land disputes,” read part of the statement.
The Moru congregation highlighted the importance of meaningful Christian dialogue, expressing their firm support for “the congregation’s right to self-governance and religious expression.”
Additionally, the Moru congregation underscored their legal rights, which are enshrined in Articles 23 and 28 of the transitional constitution of South Sudan (2011, as amended).
Last month, the Most Rev’d Dr. Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop of Juba and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) suspended 20 priests from the internal province of Amadi and some locations in Western Equatoria State.
According to the order, the priests were suspended over allegations of involvement with an ethnic congregation known as the Moru congregation.
Archbishop Badi Arama further instructed all archdeacons to promptly enforce these suspensions and to seek constitutional and canonical clarification.
“The presence and activities of these clergy have raised constitutional and pastoral concerns within the Diocese. Until their actions are clarified under church law, they are hereby suspended from any clerical functions within the Diocese of Juba,” read part of the suspension letter issued on May 29, 2025.
