Fr. Bashir Adaw, in his New Year’s Mass sermon, reiterated that worship is a personal choice and should remain free from state influence.
He echoed sentiments from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) about secularism, suggesting that it could foster peace by allowing multiple religions to coexist peacefully.
While some people fear that secularism could undermine religion, Fr. Bashir assured the faithful that, in secular societies, people are free to practice their faith without interference.
He highlighted examples from Western countries where secularism has allowed different religious communities to live together in harmony.
Despite his reassurance, Fr. Bashir expressed concern over the low attendance at New Year’s Mass in the Nuba Mountains, where many people have lost faith due to prolonged conflict.