Episcopal Church Evicted from Church Property

Episcopal Church in Sudan guesthouse in Khartoum

On May 20 at 9:00 a.m., Khartoum police served a court order to the Episcopal Church in Sudan (ECS), evicting them from their guesthouse which also served as their provincial office. Armed riot police were stationed outside to ensure compliance. To prevent any injury, the occupants vacated the building as ordered. The police then entered the building and ordered that all furniture, carpets and effects be removed from the premises. Trucks were brought in and everything was removed.

According to a May 22 report from Middle East Concern, the problem began with Gabriel Roric Jur who had been removed as bishop in May 2003. Impersonating the archbishop of the ECS, Roric sold the property to an Arab businessman two months ago. As bishop, Roric had been originally named as trustee of the property when it was purchased in 1993 but refused to turn over the ownership papers to the ECS when asked to do so in 2002.

Criminal charges have been filed against Roric, accusing him of misrepresenting the church and impersonating the archbishop of Sudan. Church leaders believe that the government may be behind Roric's actions. Roric was widely believed to be an agent of the Sudanese security forces. Accusations that he had demonstrated over a long period of time a greater loyalty to the Sudanese security police than to the ECS led to his being defrocked as bishop in 2003. Roric continues to have significant contacts with government authorities.

On May 22, the Episcopal Church of Sudan sent an official protest letter to the Sudanese government. To read this letter, click here.

Pray that this issue will be resolved and that the property will be returned to the church. Pray that Roric will see the error of his ways. Pray that the church will be a testimony to those around throughout these difficulties.

For more information on Sudan and the challenges facing Sudanese Christians, click here.