Thousands of Catholics in the Diocese celebrated Palms Sunday with sorrow following the unexpected death of Bishop Akio Johnson Mutek.
The faithful at Our Lady of Assumption Church started a procession in a low mood from the Bishop’s House, marching to the church while singing and waving palm leaves, Radio Emmanuel reported.Catholics at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral assembled at the junction leading to the church and travelled for about 45 minutes in a similar mood.
Our Lady of Assumption Parish Priest Martin Madrara said Palms Sunday Mass was a mixture of happiness and sorrow.
He asked the faithful to welcome Jesus into their hearts.
Christians celebrate Palms Sunday to remember the joyful day when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a mule and was received as the messiah by a huge crowd that waved branches, placed clothes on the road and sang hosannas.
Palms Sunday, referred also as Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of the Holy Week, which ends on Easter Sunday.
Catholics in the Diocese of Torit could not mark the event in a jubilant mood due the death of Bishop Akio last week and his burial on Friday at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Torit.