101 Days to Pray-Br. Bill Firman

49. 101 Days to Pray
Yesterday we marched – and marched. The normal ‘Murphy’s Law’ states that ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong’. There are two Sudanese variations: ‘Anything that can be delayed will be delayed’ .. and .. ‘Anything that can be changed will be changed.’ Both variations applied today. In Church on Sunday, one announcement said that our walk to launch the 101 Days of Prayer Towards a Peaceful Referendum would start at 8:00am, the other said 8:30am. We opted for 8:30am and prudently did not turn up until 8:50am. Actually we weren’t prudent enough as the walk did not actually begin until 9:30am – but I’m not really complaining as everyone was in good spirits and the cloud cover kept the temperature at a pleasant level.

The marchers walked happily and many onlookers came out to watch. The police band beat out a lively rhythm and after about half an hour the leaders turned at the designated spot to head for the so-called ‘Peace Square’ where there would be speeches. But suddenly we came to a halt and the parade was directed back to the road we had just left. The people marching from the other end of town had not arrived. So the sudden decision was made that we would walk on towards them. Inevitably the two walking groups met head on not far from the main market near the centre of town. Both groups stopped. Small problem there of where to go now! Eventually the other group wheeled around, the police band moved forward, the other group retreated whence they had come and our larger contingent followed.

This more than doubled the distance of the march but it did mean we passed through both end of the centre of the town. All this was achieved with great good humour and tolerance, even by the bemused vehicle and donkey cart drivers who were marooned amid a sea of people as the waves of walkers passed them by. The altered route turned out well as it focused very many people’s attention on the 21st September as the International Day of Peace and on the theme of praying for peace leading up to the referendum.

According to the programme, speeches were to begin at 9:30am and conclude by 11:30am. Yes there were a lot of speakers - sixteen - plus three lots of entertainment and both Christian and Muslim opening and closing prayers. Speeches began at 11:00am and finished at 2:00pm. What was most impressive, however, was the wholehearted support of the initiative by the whole community. One of our SSS members, Sister Cathy Arata, conceived this idea, and with the promised support of Catholic Relief Services, presented it to the Sudanese Bishops’ Conference. All Bishops agreed to implement it throughout Southern Sudan.

In Malakal, the Catholic organizers invited the involvement of the other Churches, including the Muslims, plus the Government - and all joined in enthusiastically. The Governor arrived with his military escort. It was a little ironic at this peace rally that there were many prominently placed armed soldiers in view, but this is Sudan and most people seem to take no notice of armed soldiers.

It may have been a long event but it was good to have been part of this great launch of the 101 Days Of Prayer For A Peaceful Referendum. What was also evident from the tone of the speeches was that the present mood is strongly towards separation from the north. The day was an encouraging expression of unity in the south. - Br Bill