SOUTH SUDAN: ‘Bishop Taban’s Award is for the victims of war in the Country’ – SCBC President
Recently recognized by Archbishop of Canterbury
for his exceptional work on promoting
Peace in South Sudan
The President of Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference of Catholic Bishops (SCBC) Rt. Rev. Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala has said that the recent recognition of Rt. Rev. Paride Taban, Bishop Emeritus of Torit by the head of the Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rev. Justin Welby is not only beyond ecumenical spirit, personal friendship between Archbishop Welby and the Holy Father, Pope Francis; but is for the victims of war in South Sudan so as to stop the killings of citizens and enable South Sudan citizens to reconcile and be united to culminate the senseless war and begin to construct a stable and durable peace.
On 9th, June, 2017 the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lambeth Awards presented Bishop Taban with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation.
Bishop Hiiboro who immensely appreciated the gesture of the head of the Anglican Church said in an email sent to AMECEA Online News that, he was touched personally by the move by the Archbishop of Canterbury to recognize one of the sons of the war torn country to be a symbol of peace.
Archbishop of Canterbury
“I am infinitely grateful for this honourable distinction in which Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury has elevated and spotted light at the end of tunnel in the person of Bishop Paride Taban,” said Bishop Hiiboro who is the local ordinary for Tambura-Yambio Diocese in South Sudan.
“This gesture by Archbishop Justin tells me that Peace has no Religion, is colourless, has no tribe, no race, no political party or any affiliation but God’s true condition for the one Humanity created in the image of the True God Himself,” he said adding that, the Award is also a tribute to all those who wish to contribute to stopping violence in South Sudan.
He urged all the many friends who want peace in South Sudan, among them the Holy Father, Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin of Canterbury, the international community and local actors in South Sudan to continue throwing their nets for peace into the deep of the national crisis.
Bishop of Tambura-Yambio
Chairman of Sudan Catholic
Bishops Conference
Describing Bishop Taban as his elder and man whom he greatly admire and honour, Bishop Hiiboro said that the recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury is a true representation of what Bishop Paride is.
“Bishop Paride stands out singularly with zeal of peace on behalf of all the Bishops but much more on behalf of all South Sudanese, especially the millions of victims of the still burning conflict in the world newest nation.”
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Below is the message of appreciation by Bishop Hiiboro to the Archbishop of Canterbury
Thank you Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury!
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for his infinite love and inspiration. Indeed I have been touched very personally by the move of the Archbishop of Canterbury to recognize one of the sons of the war torn country to be symbol of peace.
I am infinitely grateful for this honourable distinction with all my heart in which Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury has elevated and spotted light at the end of tunnel in the person of Bishop Paride Taban.
Bishop Paride Taban is my elder a man I have great admiration and honour for him. The recognition by the Archbishop is true and that is what Bishop Paride is! Bishop Paride stands out singularly with zeal of peace on behalf of all the Bishops and but much more on behalf of all South Sudanese, especially the millions of victims of this still burning conflict in the world newest nation.
What Archbishop Justin has done is not only beyond ecumenical spirit, personal friendship between His Grace Justin and our Holy Father, Pope Francis seen in these last years, but It is for the victims and so that there not be a single new victim, not a single new casualty, that the people of South Sudan must reconcile and unite to culminate this senseless war and begin to construct a stable and durable peace.
This gesture by Archbishop Justin tells me that PEACE HAS NO RELIGION, peace is colourless, no tribe, no race, no political party or any affiliation but God’s true condition for the one Humanity created in the image of the True God Himself.
This distinguished Award for peace to Bishop Paride is also a tribute to all those who wish to contribute to stopping violence in South Sudan. All the many friends who want peace in south Sudan, among whom are Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin of Canterbury, the international community and local actors in South Sudan to continue to through their nets for peace into the deep of the national crisis.
The message is we have to persevere until we reach the end of this war, we are very very close, we just need to push a bit further, to persevere, and this is going to be a great stimulus to reach that end, to start the construction of peace in South Sudan.
On behalf of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and especially on behalf of Bishop Paride, we all receive this news of Award as recognition with great humility and also taking it as serious reminder or mandate to continue to work very hard without rest for peace for all South Sudanese without difference.
Finally we thank His Grace Justin for this great message of unity that we as Christians must work together for peace in the world not as separated brothers and sisters but one humanity. Also Bishop Paride thank you for your commitment for peace, you have brought us honour!
Your Grace Justin Welby, thank you! – peace is close! Peace is possible! It is time for peace! Together as a nation we CAN build it.
For me my belief is that there’s no better cause for any country, any society than living in peace, something South Sudanese have not been able to have since our birth on July 9th 2011 to date. I think this is the moment, with such a great surprise that an Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury awarding a Roman Catholic Bishop with Peace award, so conditions are like ripe, and we just have to persevere and this is what must give us the stimulus to persevere. This is the best cause that any person can try to achieve – peace for his country.
I want to cease this noble opportunity to invite all South Sudanese to unite our efforts, our minds and our hearts in this great national goal so that we all win the most important AWARD: peace for South Sudan.
God bless you all!
