TANZANIA: AMECEA Mourns the Death of Bishop Kikoti of Mpanda Diocese

AMECEA has received with great shock the news about the death of
His Lordship Pascal Kikoti of Mpanda Diocese, Tanzania who dies at Bugando Referral Hospital in Mwanza on
Tuesday night, after a short illness.

Speaking to AMECEA News, The AMECEA Secretary General Rev Fr Ferdinand
Lugonzo said it was the wedneday that he got a telephone call from the
Secretary General of Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Rev Fr Antony Makunde informing
him about the death of AMECEA member and the Bishop of Mpanda Diocese Rt Rev
Paschal Kikoti. He said that the death
of Bishop Kikoti has not only affected the
Diocese of Mpanda and the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference but AMECEA and the
Universal Church as well.

Information from Tanzania about the demise
of the Bishop says the late Bishop was flown to Mwanza on Sunday, after
developing serious heart complications and died on Monday at around 10:00 p.m.

Mpanda Roman Catholic Diocese was
established in 2000, following its split from Sumbawanga Diocese. Bishop Kikoti
was consecrated on January 14, 2001.Mpanda Diocese officials said the body of
the late Bishop would be flown to Mpanda on Thursday afternoon.

The burial of bishop Kikoti is scheduled
for Saturday inside the Cathedral of the diocese.

Bishop Pascal Kikoti was born at
Ihibo Village in Iringa Region on March 3, 1957. He attended Peramiho Major
Seminary in Songea District Ruvuma Region and later went for further studies at
Lateran University in Rome. He attained a PhD degree in Pastoral Theology.

SOURCE: AMECEA Social Communications office