Late Paride Taban an “icon of humanity”: Madi community

Late retired Bishop Paride Taban (SD)

November 6, 2023 (JUBA) – The late retired Bishop Paride Taban was “an icon of humanity” who immensely contributed to church ministry, peace and the welfare of the entire South Sudan, the Madi community said on Saturday.

“The late was one of the most prominent sons of South Sudan as well as a global figure who contributed immensely to church ministry, peace in our country and the welfare of our people. He is an icon of humanity”, a statement reads in part. 

The retired Bishop died last week in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi at the age 87.

The community said the nation lost “an icon of peace building and source of inspiration to all”.

Born in 1936 in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State, Bishop Paride, started his Episcopal Ministry in May 1980 as Auxiliary Bishop of Juba Archdiocese. 

He was the first Bishop of Torit and the co-founder and first leader of the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC). The SSCC he co-founded spearheaded numerous ecumenical initiatives including development work, humanitarian relief, training of grass-roots leaders and peace mediation.

Bishop Paride also founded Holy Trinity Peace Village Kuron. Kuron is a beacon of peace within the conflict-ridden country of South Sudan. He had dedicated his whole life to the promotion of dialogue and development in South Sudan, as well as across the border in Uganda and Kenya.

In 2013 he received the United Nations Sergio Vieira de Mello-peace prize for his exceptional commitment to reconciling different communities in South Sudan.

(ST)