Kenya: Retired Bishop Dies

The Bishop Emeritus of Lodwar Diocese has died.

Bishop John Christopher Mahon SPS, an Irish member of the St Patrick's Missionary Society, died suddenly in Nairobi on Wednesday morning, November 10, 2004. He was 82.

"He died this morning at the Kiltegan Seminary in Bogani Road in Nairobi," Fr Thomas Gilooly SPS, Regional Superior of the East Africa Province of the St Patrick's Missionary Society (Kiltegan Missionaries) told CISA.

"He fell ill in the morning, and died very peacefully," added Fr Thomas, explaining that his late confrere came back from Ireland "only last Friday", and was resting at their Seminary on Bogani Road, Langata.

The day he died, Bishop Mahon was to proceed to his place of retirement in Kibomet, Kitale, western Kenya.

Fr Thomas said that the Society would announce more details pertaining to the burial after arranging with the family in Ireland.

Bishop Mahon, who retired in February 17, 2000, came from County Offaly, Ireland, in the Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.

He was born on December 25, 1922 and ordained priest on March 28, 1948.

He was appointed Prefect of Lodwar on January 16, 1968, and bishop of the same Diocese on January 30, 1978. He retired on February 17, 2000 after at the age of 77.

Lodwar Diocese, which covers the arid District of Turkana in northern Kenya, is inhabited by the pastoralist and nomadic Turkana community, neglected by the colonialists and successive independent Kenya governments.

May God rest the soul of Bishop Mahon in peace.

CISA extends heartfelt sympathy to his family, the Diocese of Lodwar, St Patrick's Missionary Society and all who knew him.