Leeds Diocese is linked with the Episcopal Church in Sudan. Our link opens a window on another part of the world helping to widen our horizons. The spirit of the link is partnership. Together we are members of the Body of Christ, so the link works both ways:
-
We receive as much as we give
- We respect each other
- We listen to each other
- We pray for each other
- We work on shared tasks
We aim to support and encourage our brothers and sisters who feel marginalised and oppressed in their own country, yet maintain their faith in Christ with great courage.
Pray for Sudan during Lent 2025
Our Bishops are inviting every church in the Diocese to pray for Sudan and the Episcopal Church of Sudan during Lent 2025. A prayer for Sudan is here. Further materials will be available during Lent. If your church would like a presentation on Sudan, members of the Link Working Group will be happy to provide it. Contact sudanlinkcontact@gmail.com. This will also provide occasional updates if you subscribe.
The Forgotten War
A civil war broke out in Sudan on 15th April 2023 during Ramadan. The main antagonists are the Sudanese Army (SAF) and a militia, descended from the Janjaweed, the Rapid Support Force (RSF). There is currently no end in sight. Both sides think that they can win.
30% of the population are displaced from their homes, some having to move four or five times. 24.6 million people face acute hunger. 638,000 are in imminent danger of death from malnutrition. (UN figures)
Thomas Perriello, the former US envoy, said “One of the challenges we have in this war from the beginning, because it doesn’t fit a neat narrative, is that you don’t have a good side and a bad side, you have a bad side, and an even worse side.” Both sides successfully resisted Sudan’s faltering steps to democracy. Both sides are selling Sudanese gold in Dubai.
Church News
Archbishop Ezekiel walked away from his home, the Cathedral and the Provincial Office shortly after the outbreak of fighting. He left with 42 other Christians and just the clothes he stood up in and his mobile phone. He is living in temporary accommodation on the edge of Port Sudan and leading the Province from there. His retirement home had been destroyed. His assistant Bishop Fajak of Omdurman is in exile in Cairo.
Bishop Samaan of Wad Medani (the second largest Sudanese town) also had to leave the fighting for the southern part of his Diocese. Bishop Hassan had to leave Kadugli which was unsafe. Bishop Ismail is in El Obeid on the edge of Darfur.
But the church led by the Bishops have been exemplary in their faith in Jesus Christ. While their country falls apart their faith does not. The praises of God rise. Those churches which have not been destroyed are full. Many Sudanese from the majority faith are questioning their allegiances. In December 2024 the Archbishop was able to visit Omdurman and confirm 338 people.
Visits in 2024
In February the Revd Ludia Shukai flew to Port Sudan and accompanied Archbishop Ezekiel, travelling via Juba in South Sudan, to establish the new Diocese of Heiban with 60-80 congregations in the Nuba mountains. She carried a set of episcopal robes and other helps from Leeds Diocese for the Archbishop. The robes were to replace the ones lost in his escape from Khartoum.
In June Bishop Nick and Bishop Toby visited the Archbishop in Port Sudan.
In November the Revd Anne Russell visited Port Sudan. She then spent time with the leaders of the Sudanese Mothers’ Union Heweya, Hasina and Faiza in Cairo. The main request from people here is PLEASE PRAY FOR US.
Anne says “I pass on HUGE THANKS, from Abp Ezekiel, Bishops Saman and Abdu, other church leaders (both lay and clergy), the MU and congregations of the ECS. The prayerful support and commitment shown by the Diocese of Leeds through its Link, since war broke out in April 2023 is hugely appreciated.”
Leeds Link Responses to Need
With Archbishop Ezekiel’s leading, since the war broke out we have been able to support two Youth Conferences in Port Sudan. We have provided funds for an Agricultural Project growing the basic carbohydrate, sorghum. We have supported the payment of clergy salaries across the country. We provided some pay for Khartoum Diocesan staff not able to leave the capital. (They were unpaid for 8 months.) We have provided relief through the church for those in need.
Giving to the Sudanese Church
All money given by churches here goes to Sudan as other expenses are paid for from our own diocesan funds. Send donations to our Diocesan Office marked 'For Sudan'.
- You can donate via PayPal by clicking here.
- Cheques should be payable to Leeds DBF, and posted with a note saying it's 'for Sudan' to: Leeds Diocese Finance Dept, 17-19 York Place, Leeds LS1 2EX
- BACS transfers should be made to Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance, sort code 09-02-22, account no: 10466302. Don't forget to reference your donation as 'for Sudan'.
- A Gift Aid declaration form for donations to the Sudan Link account can be found here. Please email completed forms to sudanlinkcontact@gmail.com.
Please email sudanlinkcontact@gmail.com with news of what you have done so that we can track your donation through. We may be in touch with you to ask about Gift Aid, and whether you would like to be added to our Sudan Link e-News mailing list.
Pray for Sudan
Christians in Sudan continue strong in faith and hope, and are greatly deserving of our companionship. We have a Prayer Diary for Sudan. To receive a monthly copy email sudanlinkcontact@gmail.com
Contact us
 |
Revd Dale Barton Secretary to the Sudan Link Working Group Contact Dale to join an email list and receive up to date news of Sudan |
