Rumbek, South Sudan, Jul 19, 2011 / 13:44 pm
Catholics in South Sudan are mourning the loss of Bishop Caesar Mazzolari of Rumbek, who died at the age of 74 while concelebrating Mass on July 16.
The Rumbek diocese said local faithful are “shocked and deeply saddened” by the Italian bishop's death, and expressed its “heartfelt appreciation of his dedicated service and lifelong faithful witness to the Gospel among the people of South Sudan.”
Bishop Mazzolari had a seizure at an early morning Mass on Saturday. Witnesses say he stumbled back onto a chair during the consecration and grabbed his chest while gasping for air.
After being taken to the State Hospital in Rumbek, he was pronounced dead at 8 a.m.