5th August 2026

Bishop of Blackburn highlights growing humanitarian crisis in link Diocese in South Sudan

Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North, has drawn attention to an escalating humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and the work of churches and aid agencies responding to thousands of people displaced by violence.

Writing in the current edition of the ‘Church Times’ newspaper, Bishop Philip describes the situation facing the Diocese of Liwolo, one of Blackburn Diocese's international link Dioceses, and highlights ways people can support financially at this time. The article is also now available on the Blackburn Diocese website here. 

Around 10,000 people, mostly women and children, have sought refuge in church compounds after recent conflict near the South Sudan-Uganda border.

The Diocese of Blackburn has developed close links with the Diocese of Liwolo in recent years. Bishop Philip and the Bishop of Liwolo, Rt Rev Joseph Aba, first met at the Lambeth Conference in 2022, the gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world that takes place every 10 years. The pair have met several times since through Blackburn's international partnership links. 

In his article, Bishop Philip recounts receiving urgent and alarming messages via WhatsApp from Bishop Joseph as communities fled their homes in search of safety and highlights the response already underway through Christian Aid and its local partners in South Sudan.

Following a meeting earlier this year with Christian Aid representatives and partner organisations, Bishop Philip says strong local relationships are helping aid reach communities quickly, including support for families forced to flee their homes with few or no possessions.

• Anyone who wants to help can support the crisis in Liwolo in two key ways. The first is by donating to this year’s Harvest Appeal for the Diocese of Blackburn. Visit this page on the Diocesan website for details of how to give. The other way is through Christian Aid and there is a page on the charity’s website here where you can give.

While welcoming immediate assistance being provided, Bishop Philip says significant long-term challenges remain in a country where conflict, insecurity and weak governance continue to affect some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

And he also warns in his article: “The plight of South Sudan and neighbouring Sudan is largely forgotten in the global media. Other conflicts and other personalities command all the attention."

Despite the difficulties facing his diocese, Bishop Philip says Bishop Joseph remains an inspiration to Christians across Lancashire through his resilience, faith and hope.

Describing him in the Church Times article as ‘the most remarkable and inspiring person I have ever met’, Bishop Philip also writes that his friend has taught him ‘the art of a joy, a joy found not in the external circumstances of one's life but from knowing Jesus as Lord’.

Bishop Philip added today: "I was grateful for the opportunity to highlight the situation facing the people of Liwolo through the Church Times column. There is a danger that crises such as this receive too little attention beyond the region, despite the immense suffering they cause.

"Through our Diocesan link I have come to know Bishop Joseph as a man of extraordinary faith, courage and joy. Even in the midst of conflict and displacement, he continues to point people to Christ and serve those in greatest need.

"I hope people across Lancashire will pray for and support the people of Liwolo, Bishop Joseph and his clergy so that practical help can continue to reach communities facing such hardship."

Caption for above photo:

L-R Bishop Joseph Aba with Bishop Philip North, pictured together during a visit both Bishops made to Kenya earlier this year alongside other Bishops from Dioceses in Pakistan and South Africa with links to Blackburn Diocese and each others' Dioceses.