PAMPHILI Nada, the clergyman who was brutally murdered by a madman on
Wednesday, will be buried today.
Father Nada’s remains will be interred at Sanu Parish cemetery of Mbulu Diocese.
Sources privy to the former Karatu Parish Priest, told the ‘Daily News’ that the slain minister’s funeral arrangements were well on course. This comes as the town was still coming to terms with the death of the Priest.
“Mourners will keep a night vigil awaiting his burial which is scheduled to take place on Saturday (today),” said a source who pleaded for anonymity.
During the vigil, Catholic faithfuls will unite in prayer, reflecting on the profound impact the departed clergyman had on the Parish.
“Candles will be lit in honour of the fallen Priest’s life,” said the source.
On Wednesday, a mentally disturbed man, identified as Leonard Romani, accessed the ‘Our Lady Queen of Apostles’ Church in Karatu, alleging to seek to be prayed over, only to later attack and murder the Priest.
Security officers manning the Church had earlier prevented Romani from accessing the Church premises, but he would later be allowed in by his victim.
Residents of Karatu were awoken by Church bells that a Parish security guard rang when he realised that Father Nada’s assailant had locked the Church building from within.
He would later meet his fate from an enraged mob. The Mbulu Catholic Diocese has since described the fallen clergyman as a brave and courageous pastor.
In a video recording, which the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) produced and published on Thursday, Bishop Anthony Gaspar Lagwen of Mbulu Diocese condoled with Karatu parishioners, calling for calm and patience among the faithful.
“It is only through strength that we will be able to accept his death,” he said.
Bishop Lagwen eulogised the slain Priest as a spiritual father, known for his strong faith, and commitment, and keen on accomplishing his responsibilities with zeal, dedication, and bravery.
“Let’s pray for him so that God consecrates him,” he implored.
This is Tanzania’s third recorded Church intrusion by persons with mental illnesses, this year alone.
The first was the desecration of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace in Geita Catholic Diocese, on February 26.
It would later be followed by another incident reported on May 11, 2023, when an individual broke the main door of St Charles Lwanga Cathedral in Kahama. He would however get bundled to the ground by security guards.