ROME, MAR 3 (ZENIT.org).- Exiled Bishop Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid, Sudan, who visited the United States to receive an award for his work and inform authorities, churches, and the humanitarian organization "Sudan Relief & Rescue" about the situation in his country, said that there is a genocide being planned against Christians in southern Sudan by the Islamic regime of Khartoum.

    As already reported, the last action against the southern Christian population by the army of Khartoum was the bombing of a Catholic school in Kauda, in which 21 children and their teachers died. The Bishop sent a message to the people of the Nuba mountains, especially those of Kauda, and to all his faithful, offering his prayers and support at this difficult time. "Once again I have said to the world that the National Islamic Front of Khartoum is carrying out a genocide against Christians, and Africans who are not Arabs, with the objective of establishing a radical Islamic state. These terrible, heartbreaking incidents, are another example that this war is an ethnic and religious war, launched by the Khartoum regime,in order to destroy my people. I cannot give you back your 21 children, killed in Kauda by the regime. Today there are many Rachels in Kauda who weep over the loss of their children. But we must insist that the international community act before it is too late."

    During his stay in the United States, Bishop Gassis met with Church leaders to request their prayers for peace and justice in the country. "I can assure you that in many churches of the United States, our brothers in Christ -- Catholics and Protestants -- are praying for us," the Bishop said.

    Bishop Gassis met with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for an hour, to discuss the situation in southern Sudan. "Let's hope that the government of the United States can begin decisive action to halt aerial bombings in the future," stated the Bishop.

    "Never forget that God is with us. God hates injustice. God loves his children, especially young innocents. God is saddened by the barbarous attack against you. Return to Him and seek consolation in his loving embrace," the Bishop said to his faithful.

    Bishop Gassis thanked German doctors who have treated the wounded and was grateful for the love and solidarity of the humanitarian organization which assists them. "After your crucifixion in the Nuba Mountains by the bombs of the Khartoum regime, you too will rise again. God does not abandon us. God will resurrect us from death."

    The Bishop also suggested they entrust themselves to Blessed Bakhita, a Sudanese woman who was enslaved and whom John Paul II will canonize later this year. ZE00030304