AFRICA: ZAMBIA: DEATH OF BISHOP PAUL DUFFY IN USA

CISA REPORT -President Rupiah Banda of Zambia has described the death of former Mongu Diocese Bishop Paul Duffy as a major loss to the Church and the nation. (IMAGE SOURCE; DIOCESE ZAMBIA)

In a letter of condolences to Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president, Bishop George Lungu, President Banda said he was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Duffy in Texas, United States of America on Tuesday August 23, 2011 according to Catholic News Agency.

President Banda described the late priest as outspoken in his quest to see the wellbeing of the vulnerable and marginalised in society uplifted, and a keen advocate on many national issues.

“The MMD Government and I are deeply sorry about this loss and we wish you and the Catholic Church leadership in Zambia God’s grace and strength as you handle the various pressures that arise out of this extremely difficult development,” the President said.

The President said he still remembered the conversation he had with Bishop Duffy when he visited the clergyman at his house in Mongu. He said the bishop was an intelligent person even though the President differed with him on some issues.

Meanwhile, the Zambian Catholic Church said it had learnt with great sorrow the death of Bishop Duffy. Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) spokesperson Paul Samasumo said ZEC together with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), Zambia Delegation were saddened with the death of retired Mongu Catholic Diocese Bishop, Right Rev Paul Duffy.

He said in a press statement released yesterday that the prelate died at the Oblate retirement home in San Antonio, Texas, USA on Tuesday. Fr Samasumo said Bishop Duffy died of Leukaemia.

The late Bishop Paul Francis Duffy was born on July 25, 1932 at Norwood, Massachusetts, USA. He entered the Catholic religious congregation of Oblate Priests and Brothers in the USA in 1952 and was ordained priest on December 22, 1962.

He went to Zambia in 1984 and served as parish priest in the Catholic parishes of Lukulu and Kalabo, Western Province until 1997. Bishop Duffy was ordained as the first Bishop of Mongu Diocese on August 31, 1997.

Apart from his pastoral duties as the Shepherd of Mongu Diocese, Bishop Duffy served as Zambia’s delegate to the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Board Chairman of Lewanika General Hospital and Mongu Trades Training Institute.

Bishop Duffy retired in February 2011 and formally handed over the Diocese of Mongu to his successor, Bishop Evans Chinyemba on May 28 2011.

http://www.cisanewsafrica.com/?p=2399

IMAGE SOURCE: ZAMBIA DIOCESE

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