AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN-Thousands of faithful attend the funeral of Msgr. Mazzolari; Cardinal Wako urges to follow the example of the late Bishop

Rumbek (Fides Service) - The funeral of His Exc. Mgr. Cesare Mazzolari, Bishop of Rumbek (South Sudan), who died on July 16 at the State hospital in Rumbek, where he was hospitalized after feeling ill while he was celebrating Mass, was held yesterday morning, July 21. The Funeral Mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Family, was presided by His Exc. Mgr. Paolino Lukudu Loro, Archbishop of Juba. Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, Archbishop of Khartoum, sent a message in which he urges the faithful to follow the example of the late Bishop.
The State of the Lakes (of which Rumbek is the capital) declared 3 days of national mourning for the death of Mgr. Mazzolari. To allow the entrance to the church of the endless queue of women and men, Catholics, but also Muslims as well as animists, who came from every corner of the country to pay tribute to Mgr. Mazzolari, the doors of the Cathedral of Rumbek in which the Bishop was buried, according to his desire, were kept open day and night. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 07/22/2011)