By Bida Elly David
Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban of the Catholic Archdiocese of Torit has finally been laid to rest, at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, after three days of requiem.
Bishop Emeritus Paride died on 1st –Nov 2023, the feast of all saints, and his remains landed in Torit on Thursday after being flown to his home church Our Lady of Assumption-Loa Parish.
Cardinal Stephen Ameyu described Bishop Paride as a tutor of teachers and founder of Torit Diocese, who started with only five priests.
“Let the death of Bishop Paride be a lesson to all of us, it gives us the purpose to live today. We should follow his footsteps by being peaceful,” he said.
According to Cardinal Ameyu, the late Bishop played a greater role in fundraising food for many war-affected populations in South Sudan, particularly Torit.
He said, that in the early 80s Bishop Paride had missed death at the hands of enemies, several times but his faith in God blocked all the plots.
“He was not divisive; he loved to unite people and involve dialogue among conflicting communities,’’ praised.
He urged Christians to always be ready for death and learn to emulate the late Bishop Emeritus Paride to be peacekeepers and forgiving.
“Let us mourn in order. Death does not come from anybody. Death comes as a thief, it does not come from anybody,’’ he consoled the congregation of mourners.
Cardinal Ameyu described the late Bishop Emeritus Taban as one who persevered to work during hardship, without bias.
“It was not easy to work for others but the Bishop was there in good or bad times for the people, he did not segregate anybody,’’ he said
Meanwhile, President Kiir in his letter testified efforts made by Emeritus Paride during the SPPLM liberation movement.
He said Paride’s legacy has brought positive changes to the current peace in South Sudan, noting that his soul should rest in eternal peace.
He noted that the late Bishop’s teachings have produced many good leaders currently serving in the government of South Sudan.
Kiir said Bishop Paride’s role towards peace across the Country will remain unforgotten for generations.
Mr. Titos Lokwaduma, a representative of Kuron Peace Village, testified that the deceased Bishop executed transforming the village with a series of developmental projects.
He outlined that Paride established two good schools both primary and secondary, health Centers, and vocational training Centers to mention but a few.
“Bishop Paride happened to educate many girls who were culturally affected and managed to unite us after being conflicting among one another, ’he said
He called on the government to imitate Paride’s mindset towards service delivery to his people particularly the dream to improve roads and promote girl child education.
Titos stated that Bishop Emeritus Paride managed to raise Kuron Peace Village to the international level, saying that his wonders shall never be forgotten.
Augustine Kenyi, a family representative of the Late Bishop requested the government to prioritize education to the nation the Paride did to South Sudanese.
“I need the government to construct roads to connect the whole Eastern Equatoria state and consider building schools for learning,’’ he said
He noted that there is a need to build churches in the name of Bishop Paride because he has done a lot.
“We as a family, will love to see development in the people of God,” he remarked.
The burial was attended by hundreds and thousands of faithful, government officials, foreign diplomats, and communities across South Sudan.