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Tragic Murder

Tragic Murder of Msgr. Luigi Locati, Bishop of Isiolo, Kenya

It is with the greatest of sadness that we have learned this morning by email of the murder of Bishop Luigi Locati, around 7.30 pm Kenya time last Thursday, July 14th.

The message that we have received is short, but it appears that he was returning from having his supper in the pastoral, where we all stayed, and was returning to his residence, when he was approached by two individuals. It is a little unclear what then happened but he was shot three times in the head. It is not known at this time what the motive could be but it is thought to be related to inter-ethnic violence over water and grazing rights.

Bishop Locati has been in the Diocese for forty-four years as a priest and since 1996 as the first Bishop. He has been serving not only the Catholic population but also the nomadic people and the Muslims. – he was loved and respected by everyone for his dynamism and accomplishments on their behalf.

In March of this year Dr Walley Executive Director of MaterCare International (MCI) was asked by the Bishop to visit the diocese and assess the state of maternal health and the health services available to mothers. The findings showed that the number of maternal deaths in during pregnancy and childbirth is extremely high and adequate services are not available. Following discussions with the bishop it was decided that MCI should develop a birth centre in a small town. MCI felt that this would be a very suitable tribute to the late Holy Father and his Culture of Life. However we now feel would be a fitting tribute to another martyr to recognise. The objective is to begin construction on the first anniversary of the late Holy Father’s death.

Please pray for this good and gentle man. We now have an even more reason for developing the project as a tribute to his memory.