All About Friends

Our Mission

Friends in Solidarity is a collaborative ministry initiated by Institutes of Women and Men Religious in the United States supporting the people of Africa, especially South Sudan, through capacity building initiatives that include the training of teachers, health care professionals and pastoral teams. Compelled by the suffering of our African brothers and sisters, we are committed to raising awareness of their situation and working in collaboration with the Church in Africa as it accompanies, equips and empowers the people to create a sustainable future where their full human potential may be realized.

Our Vision

We envision a just and peaceful society in Africa built upon the values of collaboration, inclusivity and solidarity between and among peoples, cultures, generations and nations.

Friends in Solidarity…

… is an initiative of US Catholic religious men and women in support of religious working in South Sudan and beyond. It was incorporated as a not for profit in November 2015 as an outgrowth of interest in the work being done by Solidarity with South Sudan, a project begun by the International Union of Superiors General and the Union of Superiors General in Rome in response to a request of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference in 2006.

Model of Ministry

Solidarity with South Sudan espouses a unique model of ministry, one of collaboration between congregations of men and women with different charisms coming from a variety of countries. It is inspired by the call of the Congress on Consecrated Life – Passion for Christ, Passion for Humanity, held in Rome in 2005. The Congress invited religious to search for…

a new paradigm…..born of compassion for the scarred and downtrodden of the earth – around new priorities, new models of organization and open and flexible collaboration between men and women of goodwill.

Friends in Solidarity is inspired by this call and the collaborative model.