Clerics Slam Attacks

Dec 09, 2002

IF Archbishop John Baptist Odama and Bishop Mcleord Baker Ocholla II had the power, they would compel Joseph Kony and his rebel Lord’s Resistance Army to repent for frustrating efforts to end blood-letting in Acholi region.

By Milton Olupot
IF Archbishop John Baptist Odama and Bishop Mcleord Baker Ocholla II had the power, they would compel Joseph Kony and his rebel Lord’s Resistance Army to repent for frustrating efforts to end blood-letting in Acholi region.

“The ones who are bathing our land with blood must repent or else they will have to answer one day in front of our Creator and Father, the owner of our lives. We appeal to the humanity of the LRA to stop all attacks on all innocent people such as ambushes, abductions and wanton killings,” they said over the weekend.

The prelates condemned last week’s road ambushes in which scores of people were killed. They sent condolences to the bereaved and to Negri School.

The dead were vicims of two attacks on Kitgum-Lira and Kitgum-Gulu roads. They included students. Other people were also critically injured.

Odama and Ochola, who are chairman and vice-chairman of the Acholi Religious Leaders’ Initiative, urged the rebels to come out with proposals for meaningful peace talks. They also told them to show willingness to end the violence in the region.

“We cannot fail to say to the ones who commit these crimes to stop destroying human life and to listen to God who clearly says “thou shalt not kill.” God does not want the death of a sinner, but repentance.

“In the midst of the senseless violence, we still maintain our commitment that dialogue is the best option to reach a sustainable peace,” the prelates said in a statement.

For several months now, Acholi leaders have been seeking a peaceful solution to the 16-year old conflict.
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