Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) - The Oblate novitiate community in South Africa and the Northern Province are mourning the death of the Associate Novice Master, Fr. Allard Msheyene ‘MAKO, shot and killed by roadside carjackers on October 5. The forty-two year old Oblate priest, ordained in 2003, had gone to lend weekend help at St. Peter’s parish in Nelspruit. After celebrating a Friday evening liturgy at 18:00 in Ka Nyamazane, he took a young man home and then was returning to the parish. A short time later, he was found lying by the road at Msogwaba township, and was taken at 19:30 by ambulance to Themba Hospital, Kabokweni. He was soon transferred to a larger hospital in Nelspruit, where he underwent emergency surgery. He was conscious and recognised those who spoke to him, and at that stage could give some response. The bullet had done its fatal damage, however. Fr. Zweli MLOTSHWA, anointed him at 5:30 Saturday morning, October 6. Fr. Allard died a couple hours later.
Just a few days earlier, he was in a jovial mood as he and the novitiate community visited the Intercapitular meeting in session north of Johannesburg. He laughed and joked with Oblates who were his friends from his days at the International Scholasticate in Rome.
His death leaves a void, not only in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, but also in the pastoral plan of his province where he had revived the vocation apostolate and was being prepared for further formation work. The Interchapter meeting will suspend its work to attend his funeral Mass on Thursday, October 11, at the Oblate parish in Victory Park.
Car-jacking in South Africa is widespread with more than 12,000 cases every year, although in recent years since a peak 16,000 in 1998 the have diminished slightly in number. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2007 righe 22 parole 320)
