BREAKING 4 Nuns Killed in a Car Accident and 1 in Hospital - RIP Carmelite Sisters Lilian, Maria, Damaris, and Stellamaris
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Tragic Automobile Accident in Tanzania. Four Carmelite Sisters of Santa Marinella Killed
Four sisters from the Congregation of Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (Congregazione Suore Carmelitane Missionarie di S. Teresa del Bambino Gesù) and their driver were tragically killed in an automobile accident in Tanzania. A fifth sister remains in very serious condition in the hospital.
The deceased are Sr. Lilian Gladson Kapongo, general superior of the Congregation; Sr. Maria Nerina De Simone, a general councilor and the general secretary; Sr. Damaris Matheka, provincial councilor for the Province of East Africa; Sr. Stellamaris Muthini; and their driver, Mr. Bonifasi. Sr. Paulina Crisante Mipata is in hospital and is in serious condition.
The members of the Carmelite General Chapter being held in Malang, Indonesia, received the news in the early morning hours of September 16th by email from Sr. Zelia da Conceiçao, vicar general. The sisters and the members of the Congregation, and the family of Mr. Bonifasi were remembered at the morning Eucharist.
The funeral mass will be held on Friday September 19, 2025 at the parish church of the late Isidori Bakanja Boko starting at 10:00 in the morning and the funeral mass at the spiritual centre of Saint Teresa of Avila Boko. (Radio Maria Tanzania)
Archbishop Renatus Leonard Nkwande of the Mwanza Archdiocese announced the passing of the four Carmelites, “who were serving at Bukumbi Girls’ Secondary School, together with their driver.”
Letter of Condolence from Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, President of the General Chapter, taking place in Malang, Indonesia:
Dear Sisters of the Congregation of the Carmelite Missionaries of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, on
behalf of myself, as President of the General Chapter, Fr. Miceal O'Neill, Prior General, and his Council, as
well as all the gremiales gathered in Malang, Indonesia, I wish to express our condolences at this time of
sadness.
It is with great sorrow that we received the terrible news of the death in a car accident of Sister Lilian,
Superior General, Sister Maria Nerina, Sister Damaris, Sister Stellamaris, and Mr. Bonifasi, the driver.
We
have offered Holy Mass for them and entrusted them to the Lord of Life. We also pray for the speedy
recovery of Sister Paulina.
This is certainly a difficult trial for your Congregation and for the entire Carmelite family. In this
circumstance, we wish to make you feel the fraternal closeness of the friars gathered in Chapter. More than
ever, we recognize you as members of the same family, sharing the joys but also the sufferings of life.
Immediately after receiving the news, many personal memories (meetings, shared projects, missions,
celebrations...) came back to us with great emotion, and we thanked the good Lord
for their lives.
The fact that they died while serving the Carmelite mission is an eloquent sign
of their commitment and an invitation to all of us to continue working in the same vein. God always
blesses generosity: we have no doubt about that. Only He can give the right reward.
A complex period is now beginning for you. We are convinced that, despite the pain of the loss of these
sisters, you will be able to move forward with the courage and hope inherited from Blessed Maria
Crocifissa Curcio and Father Lorenzo. You will not lack our fraternal support!
May Blessed Maria Crocifissa Curcio and the Saints of Carmel support you in this moment of sorrow. May
the example of these sisters, who died in the service of the mission, be the seed of new vocations for your
beloved Congregation. May Mary, Mother and Sister, welcome them into the merciful embrace of the God
of Life. May they rest in peace.
Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm
[President, Carmelite General Chapter]
Roberto Hasudungan Sianturi, O. Carm
General Secretary
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