Pope Francis condoles with family of slain South Sudanese engineer
By Kitab Unango
Pope Francis has expressed his deep condolence to the family members of late Engineer Anthony Surur who was shot dead in the capital, Juba on March 31, 2023.
Eng. Surur was shot in Hai -Mayo Residential Area by unidentified assailants at about 5:30 A.M, while he was exercising.
The Pope remembered him as one of the committed members of St. Thereza Catholic Church, where he played a leading role in the preparation for the recent papal visit in Juba.
“I would like to inform you that the holy father was informed about this sad news, and the holy father expresses his cautious condolences together with his prayers for the soul of Eng. Anthony Surur and sends his consolation to his family,” said the Pontiff’s message read out by Ionut Paul Strejac, the Vatican Ambassador to South Sudan during prayers for the late Surur in Juba on Saturday.
Rev. Ionut said the death of Eng. Surur which occurred the same month of Pope’s ecumenical visit to South Sudan indicates lack of putting into practice the Pope’s calls for “an end to violence and begin a new chapter.”
The death of Eng. Surur marked a series of continuous killings by unknown gunmen in Juba.
The perpetrators have always remained at large, despite repeated calls by families of the victims for speedy investigation.
Thomas Emilio Baku, the cousin brother of Eng. Surur called on authorities to apprehend the killers.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. This is why we are calling on the authorities to immediately apprehend the culprits and bring them to book,” Emilio said.
