SECAM: Missionary Sisters of Precious Blood Lose Four Nuns To Covid-19
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have sent message of condolence to Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS) who have lost four nuns in a span of one week.
“We have just received the sad news about the death of 4 Sisters in in Mthatha Diocese due to the outbreak of Covid-19 disease, with several others infected,” reads in part the message of SECAM which the continental pastoral solidarity body of Catholic bishops in Africa sent to Regional Conferences on Tuesday June 16.
“Your Excellencies pray for the repose of the deceased Sisters and the quick recovery of the sick ones,” the message signed by the Secretary General Fr. Henry Terwase Akaabiam indicates.
The Bishops through the Secretariat also pray for God’s protection to Bishop Sithembele Sipuka the first Vice President of SECAM, who is the Local Ordinary of Mthatha Diocese in South Africa where the four sisters stayed.
“May God console and strength Rt. Rev. Sithembele Sipuka, members of the Precious Blood Sisters Congregation and others members of Mthatha Diocese in this difficult moment,” they said adding, “May the souls of the departed Sisters rest in peace.”
According to a statement signed by Sr Nokwanda Bam of the Congregation, the four sisters were staying in old age home in the Mother House Convent in Mthatha, succumbed to COVID-19.
“It began with the infection of a Sister who works as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital and who is presently regarded as the prime source. After being discovered to be infected, she was fetched by the authorities of the Hospital to B&B for Quarantine in Mthatha,” Sr. Bam narrated.
“Then, 3 other members of the community were also discovered to be infected, all of them elderly, succumbing to the virus last week,” Sr. Bam explained adding, “In the meantime, it has been discovered that more Sisters are infected, young and old. Presently, 17 have tested positive, 15 are negative and 3 are still waiting for the test results.”
“Sr. Celine Nxopo died on the 8th and was buried on 15th; Sr. Maria Cord Wardhor died on the 12th; Sr. Martha Anne Dlamini on the 13th; and Sr. Beatrice Khofu on 14th of June,” the statement reads.
