Diocesan Bishops Mauricio Andrade (Brasilia), Ruben Akurdid (Bor) and Cate Waynick (Indianapolis) during a recent gathering in to celebrate Andrade’s 10th anniversary of ordination as a bishop.

[Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil] The Diocese of Brasilia in the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil has a close companion relationship with the Diocese of Bor in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. In the wake of recent violence Presiding Bishop Francisco de Assis da Silva Dec. 18 sent a letter to members of his province asking that they pray for the people of South Sudan and its leaders.  The letter follows: 

Santa Maria, 18th December 2013 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Brothers and sisters,

During this time as we approach the celebration of the Prince of Peace, we are saddened to hear the news from South Sudan. The peace process in this country suffers from constant violent conflicts which have recently killed more than 500, left some thousand injured, and by latest counts, some 15,000 displaced.

We raise our prayers to God for the people of South Sudan and for their leaders, that they treat their political differences in a peaceable manner and in constant dialogue. We pray for our Anglican brothers, that their lives remain safe, and for their testimony, that they urge conflicting parties to abandon violence and seek peaceful solutions.

May our God comfort the families that live in this struggle, strengthen the wounded, and that the people of South Sudan may construct their nation in accordance with the motto: in justice, equality and liberty!

Our prayers are especially with Bishop Ruben Akurdid, of the Diocese of Bor, companion diocese of the Anglican Diocese of Brasilia. I urge our Province to pray for the people of South Sudan in their Eucharistic celebrations this Sunday the 22nd of December, demonstration that we are the body of Christ, desiring Peace and Justice to become reality in this country that is as a brother to us.

With my best wishes for a blessed Christmas,

++ Francisco de Assis da Silva
Primate of Brazil and Diocesan in Santa Maria