By Bida Elly David
Thousands of mourners on Tuesday swarmed Juba International Airport (JIA) to receive the remains of Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban of the Catholic Diocese of Torit.
A procession of the faithful from different denominations trekked in tears and sorrow, from the airport to St. Thereza’s Cathedral-Kator in Juba city.
Bishop Emeritus Paride died on 1st November, on the day of solemnity of Saints at a hospital in Nairobi Kenya.
On Tuesday, the body arrived Juba, where it will be taken to Nimule and Loa for Christians to view, before final burial in Torit on Friday.
Several people including President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Members of the National Assembly among others have eulogized the life of Bishop Emeritus Paride.
Rev Fr. Sabastian Angu, a priest from the Catholic diocese of Torit, joins the list of those appreciative of late Paride’s legacy,
Talking to No.1.Citizen Daily Newspaper, Fr. Angu described late Bishop Paride as one who played a bigger role towards reconciliation in the country.
“I believe, if we can follow his footsteps in bringing peace, in reconciling our brothers and sisters, we will bring changes, he has started for us and he is no more,’’ he said
He noted that many, who witnessed Paride’s legacy towards peace, remain shocked and heartbroken, over his death.
Rev: Angu said the faithful in Kuron, had demanded for Bishop Paride to be buried in their area likewise those in Nimule but the Catholic Church has a clear position.
“The Catholic Church has all the protocols and our Bishops at the conference have taken care of that, not only Nimule or Kuron but Bishop Paride has been a contributor of peace to the whole world,’’ Fr. Angu stated.
The mammoth crowd on the streets of Juba in tears to pay last to late Paride indicates that he was not only a figure to Christians but also to the entire citizens of South Sudanese.
Kiden Joy, a member of Legion of Mary; in her sombre, noted that late Bishop Emeritus Paride played a greater role in educating many children whose parents could not afford to pay fees.
“I have decided to walk up to the Cathedral despite my health issues because Paride in his lifetime, helped many people and changed broken societies,’’ she recounted.
Kiden also noted that Bishop Paride took a decision to build Kuron village, an area with no government, but he was able to change it into a beautiful place where it is today.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin during blessing of the casket told Christians to celebrate Paride’s life instead of mourning.
Cardinal Ameyu said the entire world was saddened by Paride’s death, adding that his legacy won’t be forgotten.
“Let us celebrate and we need to celebrate the life of Bishop Paride because he has done great things that we have witnessed, our hearts should be full of hope, the hope of resurrection,’’ he noted.
He added that Bishop Paride died with Christ and rose with him to a new life and will continue sharing with him eternal glory,’’ he said
Relic of Bishop Paride will be flown to Nimule, today, and later to Torit for burial at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, on Friday.
Paride Taban, the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Torit becomes the second to be buried at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Torit.
Bishop Johnson Akio Mutek, who succumbed to kidney problems in 2013, was the first at the Cathedral.
Bishop Johnson Akio Mutek had succeeded Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban after his retirement.