“We have lost our icon”: South Sudanese Cardinal Mourns Pioneer Bishop of Torit Diocese

Juba, 07 November, 2023 / 9:29 PM

The Bishop of South Sudan’s Catholic Archdiocese of Juba has paid tribute to Bishop Paride Taban who died on the Solemnity of All Saints, saying the East Central African nation has lost an “icon.”

Speaking at the reception of the remains of late Bishop Taban at the Juba International Airport Tuesday, November 7, Stephen Ameyu Martin Cardinal Mulla described the late Bishop Taban as a “grandfather” who “fought spiritually and also fought for our liberation.”

The South Sudanese Cardinal added, “Let us mourn him like people who have hope in resurrection because Paride was a person that all of us remember because he has touched all of us.”

 “Let us together respect his body as he lays in front of us and mourn him in a very Christian way, in a respectful manner,” the Local Ordinary of Juba Archdiocese further said, and implored, “May his soul rest in peace as we mourn him.”

The pioneer Bishop of South Sudan’s Torit Diocese died at the age of 87 while receiving treatment after a long illness.

Also speaking during the reception of the body of the late Bishop, South Sudan’s second vice president, James Wani Igga said the contribution of the late Bishop Taban is “immeasurable.”

“Our hearts are broken. Bishop Paride did great things for this country, his Christians, and his people in good and hard moments,” he said, and added, “His contribution is not measurable.” 

“It has saddened us to see his body lying before us and I am sure he would have still contributed for people and to this country but the Almighty God knows the hour for him and every one of us,” the government official said.

The program for the funeral programme of Bishop Paride includes a Wednesday, November 8 Mass in Loa in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State.

The Bishop’s body will be taken to Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral of Torit Diocese on Thursday, November 9 at 10 a.m, where it will be laid to rest after a requiem Mass.