Monday, March 18, dawned with grief on the Catholic Diocese of Torit and Eastern Equatoria State as death robbed Bishop Johnson Akio Mutek from his flock in the morning at a Nairobi Hospital.
Businesses came to a standstill, government and NGOs offices and schools closed down in Torit as civil servants, pupils, students and other people moved to pay tribute to the deceased following the spread of Bishop Akio’s death, Radio Emmanuel reported.
Hundreds of mourners turned up at the Bishop’s House in Torit, some wailing at the top of their voices, to express grief over the untimely death.
Others sang songs of sorrow mixed with tears.
Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Torit Hakim Dario said the diocesan clergy received the news of Bishop Akio’s death from one of their colleagues in the morning with great surprise.
He said the deceased was flown to Nairobi to be admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital to check the problems affecting his health.
Fr Hakim said a grave was being prepared in Torit although there was no date for Bishop Akio’s burial.
He asked the faithful to pray for the diocese that was left without a shepherd.
Bishop Akio, 55, had a long history of kidney problems. He underwent two transplants in India.
The late bishop was ordained priest in December 18, 1988, appointed auxiliary bishop of Torit on May 18, 1999, consecrated a bishop on August 15, 1999 and became bishop of Torit on June 9, 2007.