Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service)- Yesterday evening in Isiolo in northern Kenya Italian born Bishop Luigi Locati, Vicar Apostolic of Isiolo, was brutally assassinated with two gun shots in the head as he was on his way home from the local pastoral centre. The Bishop aged 77 did not die immediately; he was rushed to hospital where he passed away an hour later. “Bishop Luigi Locati was a great pioneer in his Diocese” another Italian missionary Consolata Father Eugenio Ferrari, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kenya, told Fides.
“I met him the day I arrived in Kenya” said Fr. Ferrari. “I travelled with him in his Land Rover and we went to his home in Isiolo. Everything was new to me. I was impressed to see how modest his dwelling was and how well he knew his people. I would add that even after he was made a Bishop he maintained a simple life-style. He was a man of uprightness and honesty and a promoter of justice. I had the opportunity to have lunch with him at the Bishop’s House. He showed me around, it was a nice place but all the same modest and simple”.
With regard to the Bishop’s death Fr Ferrari said “Bishop Locati had received threats and so in the evenings he went around accompanied by two guards. The dynamic of his assassination would seem to be as follows. At about 8pm, accompanied by the two guards he was on his way home from the pastoral centre when three men suddenly appeared from nowhere. They hit one of the guards with a club and then struck Mgr Locati on the back. He fell to the ground. The assailants went close and shot him twice, in the head and then in the throat. Although mortally wounded the Bishop did not actually die until an hour later. It was obviously an execution and would appear to be connected with what happened in Marsabit a few days ago. It would seem that the Bishop was accused of helping one tribe more than the others. But I can honestly say this is not true. I hope that in a few days the motive for the crime will be brought to light”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/7/2005 righe 26 parole 347)
