President Salva Kiir sends condolences message to Rumbek Catholic Church

July 22, 2011 (JUBA) – The president of the Republic of South Sudan had sent a message of condolences to the Diocese of Rumbek Catholic Church on Thursday after Bishop Caesar Mazzolari who died on Saturday 16.

The condolence message to the Bishop’s family outlines Mazzolari’s hard work that the late Bishop Mazzolari’s had done to people of the Republic of South Sudan during his life time. In his message, of condolences to the immediate family of the late Bishop Caesar Mazzolari, the Comboni Missionaries and the faithful of Rumbek diocese and the people of Lakes State, that he “had the privilege of knowing the late Bishop Mazzolri personally, particularly during the days of the liberation struggle”. South Sudan became independent on July 9 as part of a 2005 peace deal following decades of conflict with the North. The message was read during the official funeral celebration on Thursday at the Bishop’s compound by Kosti Manibe, the caretaker Minister of Cabinet Affairs in Government of South Sudan, who represented the President at the funeral prayers occasion held on Thursday. Attached kindly find the complete message of condolences from the President of the Republic of South Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Late Bishop Mazzolari was 74 years old. He was appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of Rumbek Diocese in 1990 and consecrated the Bishop of Rumbek Diocese on January 6, 1999. He was devoted in his service for the Church of South Sudan and leaves behind a legacy of a life well lived. The Lakes state government had declared three days of mourning which ended on Friday. The three-day mourning period was announced on Monday by Lakes State Deputy Governor, Daniel Ayual Makoi, who also served as minister of Education in Lakes state government. Ayual was speaking to hundreds people mourners who turned up to witness the burial of the late bishop inside Holy Family Cathedral church, among them two bishops, the clergy, religious, the laity and well wishers. Ayual said “we really feel that grief for the death of our father, I would like to announce to they public of Lakes state the government that with effect from tomorrow the 19th to Thursday are mourning days. Starting from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and work should resume on coming Friday”. South Sudan’s Lakes State has declared a three-day mourning period following the sudden and unexpected death of Rumbek Catholic Bishop Caesar Mazzolari who was buried on Monday evening in a solemn yet tearful farewell celebration. He will be remembered in Lakes State fondly as a man of integrity. The three-day mourning period was announced by Lakes State Deputy Governor, Daniel Ayual Makoi, who also serves as minister of education.

The deputy governor said that the death of Bishop Mazzolari has brought sadness not only to Christians but also to all the people of Lakes State. He clarified that the days of mourning will begin on Tuesday and conclude on Thursday evening and that work will resume on Friday morning next week. The Deputy Governor expressed condolences, on behalf of the Lakes State government leaders and all communities, to the members and friends of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek. He acknowledged the contribution of the late Bishop Mazzolari in the process of achieving independence of South Sudan, citing his active and constructive programs before and after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Over 98 percent of South Sudanese voted for secession from the largely Islamic North in a referendum in January. Ayual, said that Lakes State’s governor sent his condolences to the family and friends and churches of Lakes state from Juba. “Our unforgettable Bishop was been here with us since the days of odd and after the CPA doing to us the development to the people of South Sudan.” The late bishop died one week after the celebration of South Sudan’s independence on July 9 during which he presided over the official opening prayer at Freedom Square in Rumbek. Aurupai Mary Vincincia, a South Sudanese who has known Mazzolari from childhood wrote a note of remembrance:

“Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the untimely death of Teacher, Elder, father, role model Bishop Caesar Mozzalari. I knew the Bishop when I was a kid and worked closer with him while in New Sudan Council of Churches in Rumbek. We will all miss the icon in South Sudan and especially the Diocese of Rumbek. May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.”

The late bishop was laid to rest inside the Catholic Cathedral on Monday, evening at about 8pm. However, the main funeral celebration and the official prayers for the repose of the soul of the late bishop will be held on Thursday, July 21. Messages of condolences to the members of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek describe late Bishop as a great and holy man. One of his confreres describes him as “really a holy Man, always bearing the struggles of his people for a peaceful independence, mostly independence from sin and tribalism”. (ST)

Attached documents