by Iain Greenshields

Extraordinary, surreal, humbling and hopeful.

These are just a few words that sum up my pilgrimage of peace to South Sudan with Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It was an historic moment – three Christian denominations standing shoulder to shoulder for the first time and wrapped in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

It was a moment more than 500 years in the making and we went as servants in Christ with humility, unity and love, to encourage changes in hearts and minds.

It was a privilege and a liberation of the spirit of God. The rapturous reception of the tens of thousands of people who lined the streets and filled the venues was astounding.

But the joy and happiness etched on their faces hid a crushing reality, for the brave and resilient people that we stood alongside are desperately tired of suffering profoundly from continued armed conflict, violence, corruption, floods and famine.

We heard their cries and anguish and their hopes and dreams loud and clear. The world’s youngest country has great potential and the call for peace, forgiveness, reconciliation, stability, prosperity and justice is deafening. We truly hope that those in power are really listening.

This is no stronger than among young people, who are the future, and they are the ones who will write this nation’s next chapter.

Between 60-70% of the country’s 11 million population identify as Christian and the churches – Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian – work closely together to try and make a difference.

Photo credit: Church of Scotland

Right Rev. Dr Iain Greenshields is the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He visited South Sudan with Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in February.