Sudan : Christians good bye

As we have watched the unfolding tragedy of Sudan (and, indeed, its neighbour, South Sudan) much of our attention has been on the horrific bombing of civilian populations in the Nuba mountains with whole villages being forced to live in rock caves like something out of the stoneage. But, as we protest at what happens in those beautiful mountains we must not neglect the quieter attempt to push Christians out of the cities.

On 18 June St. John's Episcopal (Anglican) Church in the Hay Yousif district of Khartoum was simply demolished by local government officials. In the process most of the building's contents were also destroyed. Sudanese authorities claim that the building was demolished because it had no official permit. Church authorities, however, have reminded them that they have been trying to register the church since its opening more than twenty years ago in 1989, but were prevented from doing so by unjust delays by government officials. As St. John's lies in ruins there are understandably fears that other churches will also be destroyed. Earlier in June the authorities threatened to occupy and close a Catholic church, an action only prevented when the congregation occupied the building.

It is not only churches that are being removed from the skyline. A number of Church-run schools have recently been forced to close and threatened with demolition. The local politicians say this is because many Christians have left the area to go to South Sudan (under pressure from the government?) and so there are less Christian children needing schools. The Churches deny this. Most recently the offices of the Sudan Council of Churches and Sudan Aid in Nyala have been forced to close.

I just wonder what would happen in Birmingham, or Chicago or Berlin, if the local council suddenly decided to bulldoze a few mosques and close the office of Islamic Aid?

If the people of Sudan genuinely want an Islamic state then that's fine ... but the Holy Qu'ran demands that they care for 'the people of the book' (Christians) who live in their midst. Bulldozing churches, closing schools, encouraging thousands to flee their homes and go as refugees to South Sudan, does not look to me like the care and consideration the Qu'ran demands.

The frightening question is ... Sudan today, Egypt tomorrow?

When states divide

In October, when Scotland becomes an independent nation, anyone with a Scottish grandparent will have the right to become a citizen of Scotland. In fact England will insist that anyone with a Scottish grandparent not only becomes a Scottish citizen, but also moves north across the border within one year of independence. For security reasons Scottish citizens expelled from England will only be able to take one small car load of possessions with them. Happy independence!

Well, by now I hope you have realised I made all that up. (If Cameron is still at the station buying his ticket to Glasgow, come home - we love you in Oxford!) But my serious point is that this is exactly what is happening between Sudan and South Sudan right now. With the two countries on the brink of a bitter war (over oil of course!) Sudan has decided that anyone at all with a grandparent from South Sudan (mainly Christians) needs to get out, and get out fast. To make matters worse all barge traffic on the River Nile has been stopped so people can only take with them what they can carry overland ... and then at the border there are all sorts of difficulties with the issuing of identify papers etc. And in the skies above - war planes circle.

When it was just one country (designed by those wonderful British imperialists) Sudan was locked in 25 years of tragic civil war. Now it seems the only difference is that the war is no longer 'civil', just war.

I'm praying for a miracle in Sudan and South Sudan, and I'm hoping our seperation from Scotland (and its oil) might be a little less acrimonious.