Sudanese Priest Killed 

A priest in Kauda, Sudan, was killed by a militant group determined to take his parish’s medical supplies. 

On June 18, an armed group stormed into Father Youhana Al-Amin’s church, demanding the keys to the medical supply storage. They gathered all they could and planned to return for what remained. Al-Amin reported the incident and planned to evacuate the remaining resources before the group returned. 

Around 10 a.m. the next day, the men returned. Expecting that the priest had reported them, they shot and killed him along with one of his guards. The other guard, though wounded, managed to escape and is now receiving treatment at a hospital. 

War and chaos besieged the Nuba Mountains communities six weeks ago, and the violence only continues to escalate. With decreasing security and conflict rising because of the armed and tribal forces, many religious leaders have escaped — Al-Amin resolved to stay and tend to his flock. 

Now, his church is grieving over its bold and sacrificial leader. 

“We entrust Father Youhana and the other victims to the mercy of God and pray for comfort and strength for their families, parishioners, and all those affected by this tragedy,” a local said. 

Father John Gbemboyo Joseph Mbikoyezu, a pastor who knew Al-Amin, told Crux Now that Al-Amin is a symbol of the many other innocent lives taken during the conflict in Sudan. 

“As a Church in Sudan and South Sudan, we feel that there is failure in morality and the killing of a community or religious leader like that of Father Yuhana is the highest point of this failure,” Gbemboyo said. 

Gbemboyo urged the global church to pray for the end of the war and for quick relief from the atrocities. 

“It is time for believers to open our hearts to pray and work for peace,” Gbemboyo said. “Working for peace means to acknowledge that our people are enduring all sorts of suffering.” 

Story by Bella Agnello 

To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email us. To support ICC’s work around the world, please give to our Where Most Needed Fund.

The post Sudanese Priest Killed  first appeared on International Christian Concern.