Catholic Bishops led by Arch-Bishop John Njue (front left) viewing the body of the later Bishop Rev. Emmanuel Barbara of Malindi Diocese (Photo/standardmedia.co.ke)The Malindi Catholic bishop who died in his sleep will be flown to Malta in Europe for burial on January 25.
The late Emmanuel Barbara has been eulogized as a God-fearing, dedicated and humble servant. According to Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva, the decision to transport the body of the deceased servant of God was reached because he had said so in his will.
He was responding to a section of the members of the church who questioned why the late bishop was not going to be laid to rest in the church like his predecessors.
Kivuva spoke at the late bishop’s mass held at Central Primary school grounds in Malindi Thursday. The mass was attended by different personalities including his nephew Christopher Buttigieg and niece Josette Zammit.“We arrived at the decision because of the will he left behind. I know many people have been wondering why the bishop was not buried here in the diocese like other bishops but we had to obey his wishes,” said Bishop Kivuva.
Cardinal Njue also hailed the late bishop for the role he played in the spread of the gospel across the world. He also said that the demise of the bishop is a great blow to the church.