Faith in Action: Reverend Levi and the Church’s Role in Healing Yei's Wounds of War

Image: Muse Mohammed/IOM

In a region long fractured by violence and displacement, Reverend Levi, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese in Yei, has emerged as a vital force for reconciliation and healing. Once a thriving town in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State (CES), Yei bore the brunt of conflict after 2016, as war dismantled communities, ruptured social trust, and strained civilian-military relations.

“The relationship between civilians and soldiers was broken,” Reverend Levi explains. “Civilians feared the soldiers, and the soldiers viewed civilians as enemies or collaborators with rebels.” The fear, suspicion, and retaliation that defined this era left deep emotional scars and fueled cycles of violence and displacement.

However, this narrative has begun to shift, thanks to a series of local peacebuilding initiatives supported through the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience in South Sudan (RSRTF) and implemented under the Central Equatoria State Area-Based Programme (CES ABP).

In collaboration with organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and a wide coalition of faith-based and local actors, the church has been a consistent and trusted presence in Yei and its surrounding villages—often the only institution with reach into remote and underserved areas.

Image: Muse Mohammed/IOM

“We began to bring civilians and soldiers to sit down and discuss their problems,” says Reverend Levi. Since 2021, the church, supported by RSRTF partners, has facilitated over 29 community dialogues, bridging divides between civilians, the military, and community leaders. These dialogues have created platforms for storytelling, acknowledgment of past trauma, and practical agreements for nonviolence and cooperation.

The impacts are visible. Markets that had once shuttered due to insecurity have reopened. Roads that were once ambush hotspots are now safer to travel. Children are returning to school. And, slowly but surely, trust—once shattered—is being rebuilt.

“The church has always been a symbol of moral authority,” Reverend Levi explains. “We use scripture to preach love and peace.” In villages where state institutions are absent or mistrusted, churches serve as neutral grounds for dialogue and healing. Citing Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” — he says faith provides both the inspiration and the language needed for reconciliation.

Reverend Levi acknowledges that the journey is far from easy. “Forgiveness is not a simple process. People have lost loved ones. Some want revenge.” Yet, through persistent engagement, the church urges communities to reflect on the long-term consequences of retaliation. “The price of revenge is far higher than the price of peace,” he says.

Through its holistic approach, the CES ABP not only supports dialogue but also strengthens social services, enhances security through civilian-military cooperation, and revitalizes local economies. By funding initiatives that embed peacebuilding within community life—such as intercommunal sports events, youth leadership training, and trauma healing workshops—RSRTF and its partners aim to build long-term resilience rather than temporary calm.

Today, as Yei rebuilds from the shadows of war, faith leaders like Reverend Levi remind us that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the restoration of relationships. And in South Sudan’s fragile context, this kind of peace is made possible through partnership, persistence, and the power of trust.