The Home Office has reversed a ban on two pastors from South Sudan who had twice been denied visas to enter the UK for a Church of Scotland training event.
The original decision to ban two Christian South Sudanese ministers from the country was dubbed 'ludicrous' by a Scottish MP. Backed by the Church of Scotland, North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins had urged home secretary Amber Rudd to overturn the ruling. Former Moderator of the Church's General Assembly, Very Rev Dr John Chalmers, said he was 'shocked' by the situation, and that it was denying the ministers access to an 'important event'.
One of the men, Rev Orozu Daky, said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the visa rejection, especially since he has travelled widely and previously obtained visas in Germany, Switzerland, the USA and Scotland.
Gethins said: 'All 11 Presbyterian Church of South Sudan representatives are coming here thanks to generous sponsorship by the Church of Scotland and congregations.
'They are coming for peace mediation training which will benefit their country, as well as strengthening links with Scotland.'
Following outspoken protests, the ban was reversed. Chalmers said: 'This was the response we were hoping for. I am delighted at this turnaround in events – now our course will go ahead as planned and with these two participants set to benefit from both advanced conflict resolution and an opportunity to experience a respite from the trauma of their everyday lives. When they return to South Sudan we expect them to be refreshed in themselves and carrying a new hope for the future of their nation.'
