Bishop Isaiah Majok Dau, the General Overseer of the South Sudan Pentecostal Church (SPC), made the remarks this morning during the launch of the National Conference on Combating Hate Speech and Strengthening Social Cohesion|By Awan Moses

A senior church leader has called for an end to hate speech targeting public figures in places of worship, saying churches should be spaces that promote unity, peace, and respect rather than political attacks.

Bishop Isaiah Majok Dau, the General Overseer of the South Sudan Pentecostal Church (SPC), made the remarks on Monday morning during the launch of the National Conference on Combating Hate Speech and Strengthening Social Cohesion in Juba.

Bishop Isaiah said churches must remain places of peace and spiritual guidance, warning that hate speech has increasingly found its way into sermons.

“Anyone of us can be guilty, not just the target, but can be guilty of hate speech,” Bishop Isaiah said. “Even the church has been guilty of hate speech. I have responsible people, ministers and MPs who have been targeted in churches.”

The cleric recounted an incident in which an unnamed politician was singled out during a sermon, forcing the individual to leave the church.

“If they see a politician, then they change the sermon for that day and target them properly,” he said. “I have one friend who came to a church one time and the preacher started to attack politicians. He looked around and realized he was the only politician there, so he left the church and never returned until we talked.”

Bishop Isaiah stressed that acknowledging personal responsibility is key to addressing the problem of hate speech.

“Any one of us can be guilty, and if we admit that, that is the beginning of solving it,” he said. “It is not only about others making you a target, but also about you being guilty of hate speech.”

He further called on the public to take deliberate action against hate speech beyond conferences and public discussions.

“We must decide to be intentional about what we do,” Bishop Isaiah said. “We should not only complain about hate speech, but do something about it in our own small way. When we conquer hate speech, we will enhance peace and harmony in our country.”

The National Conference on Combating Hate Speech and Strengthening Social Cohesion is being held in Juba under the theme, “Beyond the Painful Divides.”