Police Commandant applauds the work done by the clergy

Speaking at a training organized by the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio to its young priest who has been in the ministry for five years and below, Colonel Sasa said that priests’ service to the communities is very critical and such, they are protected by the law of the land.

“Your immunity as a Catholic priest is protected and safeguarded under the civil law, the legal system of the Republic of South Sudan,” Colonel Sasa told them adding that they (priests) are important in the society because they are part and parcel of those who build the communities and helps it to grow.

“You are very instrumental in building peace among communities and this means that your presence is valued in the communities,” Colonel Sasa further explained adding that for the government, the security, and the police, priests are friends of the people who can help to pass messages to the communities, and also to guide and inform people in the right way.

He said that because of the important role played by the priests in the communities, they are protected by the law of the country, the law of land. And in an event that a priest for some reason gets into trouble with the law, he cannot just be harassed or arrested anyhow but rather he will be followed through his bishop by informing him about the irregularities in the life of that given priest, by so doing, the offender priest is made accountable for his crime by being handled in a more decent and organized manner.

“Priests are not above the law and should there be a crime committed by one that needs the law to prevail, the law will take its course. This is because the country does not condone crime regardless of who commits it, the Church and also the diocese too do not condone crime, I believe. This means that if a priest commits a crime, he will have to face the law,” Colonel Sasa expressed.

Having made that clear, he thanked the priests for their hard work especially in promoting peace and building Christian communities thereby preparing good citizens for the country.

During the same event, the priests expressed concern over being stopped or harassed from time to time when they are attending to the pastoral duties. However, they indicated that after identifying themselves to the police, they would be let go even them this often cause inconveniences on their programs. They, therefore, recommended ongoing training for the police and also advised that they (the police) be given necessary support in order to motivate them and make their work easier.