KENYA: Slain Meru Priest Laid to Rest
Casket bearing the remains of the slain Priest From Meru Diocese
A sombre mood engulfed the Christian faithful who congregated for the requiem mass of slain Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Eutycus Murangiri at Mujwa Catholic Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Meru.
The late Fr. Murangiri, 32, was ordained priest in December 2018 and posted to Limbine Parish in Tigania West where he served for only five months before he met his untimely death on the night of May 9, 2019 at Makutano Shopping Centre in Meru Town in the hands of unknown assailants.
The funeral Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Meru, Rt. Rev. Salesius Mugambi and concelebrated by the Vicar-General, Rev. Fr. Kaimenyi, and other priests from Meru and beyond. The Mass was attended by hundreds of Catholic faithful from across Meru County.
Those who spoke paid glowing tribute to the late priest, saying he was social to everyone that he interacted with during his short priestly duties at Limbine Parish.
Bishop Mugambi thanked the congregation for turning out in large numbers to mourn with them and called upon Christians to be prepared in their Christian life for any eventuality.
“The death of Fr. Murangiri calls for every Christian to be prepared in their earthly lives as anything can happen any time,” said the bishop.
The Chairman of Meru Catholic Diocese priests, Rev.
Fr. Elias Kinoti said the late Fr. Murangiri’s death was shocking to the entire Catholic Church in Meru adding that, being among the first people to arrive at the crime scene, the memory brings him psychological torture.
“Up to this time, I am afraid to pick the telephone when it rings, especially if it is a fellow priest calling because the injuries I saw on Fr. Murangiri were so serious that nothing could have been done to save his life,” said Fr. Kinoti.
The chairman of Nkabune Parish, Mr. Robert Mwongera, where Fr. Murangiri hailed from, said it was sad for them to lose one of their sons.
Fr. Murangiri’s remains were interred at the historical Mujwa Catholic Cemetery, where pioneer Meru Priests, Sisters and Brothers are buried.
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By Titus Murithi – Catholic Diocese of Meru
