The governor of Lakes State said late Bishop Caesar Mazzolari of Rumbek should be included among the martyrs of South Sudan.
Chol Tong Mayay made the statement during the 40-day Memorial Mass on Saturday in Rumbek.He urged the Church to stand firm in unity and continue bishop Mazzolari’s development works including schools, hospitals and fighting poverty and preach his message of peace and love.
He explained that the late bishop gave his life for the marginalized people of South Sudan.
Eng. Tong said there was a parallel between Bishop Mazzolari and John Garang de Mabior, because both died one week after delivering their last speeches at Rumbek’s Freedom Square.
Bishop Mazzolari died one week after presiding over the opening prayers during the celebration of independence, while Dr. Garang died in an air crash one week after his first speech as the president of the Government of South Sudan in Rumbek.
Bishop Mazzolari’s Memorial Mass was presided over by Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak of Wau.
It was attended by many priests, nuns, government officials and a huge crowd of faithful.