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On May 16, 2018, laureate Bishop Paride Taban accepted the award for Freedom of Worship. Taban received this award for his lifelong commitment to peace and freedom for the people of South Sudan. Through his work, he keeps the hope for peace alive. He does this not only by spreading the word of God, but also by living by it.

Since the 1960s, Bishop Taban has been working for peace in South Sudan. He connects groups that otherwise fight each other. His wisdom and great respect for different religions and cultures make this possible. The peace village in Kuron is proof of this extraordinary achievement. Bishop Taban remains committed to stopping the great human suffering in South Sudan. At the same time, he is committed to resolving the conflict peacefully. Bishop Taban does so locally, nationally and internationally.

Freedom of Worship Award

Paride Taban

Get in touch with Taban.

More about bishop Taban

Paride Taban was born in 1936 in Opari, Eastern Equatoria (South Sudan). His mother taught him to love his fellow man, which later led to faith. Taban's mother cared for anyone who knocked on their door: faith or origin were not important. In the 1980s, Taban returned as a bishop in Torit. After being released in 1989 by rebels who held him captive, he further committed himself to peace in his country. Meanwhile, Taban began rebuilding his region of eastern Equatoria. There, he lays the foundations of the now acclaimed peace village of Kuron.

Positions and publications

Taban is bishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church. He was also the first leader of the New Sudan Council of Churches, which was established in 1990. Finally, Taban was bishop of Torit from 1983 to 2004.

Together with Alberto J. Eisman, he wrote a book: