KENYA: Archbishop Lele laid to rest
Hundreds of
mourners gathered at Loreto Convent School to pay their last respects to the
former Archbishop of Mombasa, Most Rev. Boniface Lele (67) who was laid to rest
on Tuesday, April 22 inside a grotto carved out of a coral rock beneath the
Cathedral in a ceremony that brought together senior politicians, a cabinet
secretary and religious leaders from various denominations.
mourners gathered at Loreto Convent School to pay their last respects to the
former Archbishop of Mombasa, Most Rev. Boniface Lele (67) who was laid to rest
on Tuesday, April 22 inside a grotto carved out of a coral rock beneath the
Cathedral in a ceremony that brought together senior politicians, a cabinet
secretary and religious leaders from various denominations.
|
| Final Resting Place of Archbishop Lele |
Traffic
along the busy Digo and Nkrumah Roads came to a standstill as mourners escorted
the casket bearing the late Archbishop’s body from Loreto Convent School where
the requiem mass was held to his final resting place at the Holy Ghost
Cathedral, about 500 metres away.
along the busy Digo and Nkrumah Roads came to a standstill as mourners escorted
the casket bearing the late Archbishop’s body from Loreto Convent School where
the requiem mass was held to his final resting place at the Holy Ghost
Cathedral, about 500 metres away.
Speaker
after speaker led by the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops,
John Cardinal Njue paid glowing tribute to a man famed for his simplicity and
generosity. They spoke fondly of the archbishop, describing him as the epitome
of humility and whose passing on had seen people come together in peace, a
symbol that he was a man who embraced peace in his life.
President
Uhuru Kenyatta’s message of condolence was read by Lands Cabinet Secretary,
Mrs. Charity Ngilu, where he termed the late archbishop as a selfless son of
Kenya who served the country with dedication.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s message of condolence was read by Lands Cabinet Secretary,
Mrs. Charity Ngilu, where he termed the late archbishop as a selfless son of
Kenya who served the country with dedication.
 |
| The casket in placed in the grotto |
In his
homily, the Bishop of Kitui, Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria described Archbishop Lele
as a great inspiration to many priests and singled him for his commitment to
the mission of the Church. “Despite his failing health, he remained true to his
priestly vows, especially that of obedience and celibacy,” said Bishop Muheria.
“He started many projects to help the destitute in the society, especially
victims of HIV/AIDS. He helped to set up Nyumbani Village in Kitui to cater for
HIV/AIDS orphans. In Mombasa, he started a project to rehabilitate commercial
sex workers, among many other projects.”
homily, the Bishop of Kitui, Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria described Archbishop Lele
as a great inspiration to many priests and singled him for his commitment to
the mission of the Church. “Despite his failing health, he remained true to his
priestly vows, especially that of obedience and celibacy,” said Bishop Muheria.
“He started many projects to help the destitute in the society, especially
victims of HIV/AIDS. He helped to set up Nyumbani Village in Kitui to cater for
HIV/AIDS orphans. In Mombasa, he started a project to rehabilitate commercial
sex workers, among many other projects.”
Bishop
Muheria said the late archbishop was a kind man who gave all he had to help the
needy in the society. “It is unfortunate, however, that some people tried to
take advantage of him due to his failing memory due to illness.”
Muheria said the late archbishop was a kind man who gave all he had to help the
needy in the society. “It is unfortunate, however, that some people tried to
take advantage of him due to his failing memory due to illness.”
Also present
at the burial was the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, His Excellency Archbishop
Charles Daniel Balvo, who read a message of encouragement to the Church in
Kenya and the family of the late Archbishop Lele from the Holy Father, Pope
Francis. Others were Catholic Bishops in Kenya, the clergy, religious and
laity, including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Senators Moses
Wetangula and Anyang Nyongo, MPs, and other dignitaries.
at the burial was the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, His Excellency Archbishop
Charles Daniel Balvo, who read a message of encouragement to the Church in
Kenya and the family of the late Archbishop Lele from the Holy Father, Pope
Francis. Others were Catholic Bishops in Kenya, the clergy, religious and
laity, including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Senators Moses
Wetangula and Anyang Nyongo, MPs, and other dignitaries.
Archbishop
Lele was the fourth archbishop of Mombasa.
Lele was the fourth archbishop of Mombasa.
