Impunity : Lessons from Sudan

James has visited Sudan and describes it as a country that has had a deep impact on him. He was shocked to learn from Sudanese friends in the UK that Darfur is back in the news, as reminders of what some called the 21st century’s first genocide circulate.

More Tea, Vicar? this week considers a Christian perspective on the concept of impunity, defined as “exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action” as the Janjaweed step up their campaign of terror against vulnerable and displaced peoples.

Outside of Jesus we are always creating division, we are always building walls; Hadrian’s Wall, the Berlin Wall, the Great Wall of China. The reason why dividing walls appear is because we don’t feel safe in other people’s presence. But with Jesus, it is safe to have no dividing wall. With impunity, we hide what makes us unsafe - Jesus wants us to bring it into the light so we can live alongside each other for our greater calling.

James Stevenson