July 19, 2011. (Romereports.com) On Saturday July 16 Cesare Mazzolari died at the age of 74. He was the bishop of Rumbek in South Sudan. For11 years he served in the diocese of the youngest African country.

He served as a missionary from the Comboni Order and passed away while celebrating Mass. Last month he traveled to Rome to explain the recent challenges facing the world's youngest country.


Msgr. Cesare Mazzolari
Archbishop Rumbek (South Sudan)
“Reconciliation and forgiveness should play a major role in the country's future. This must contribute both to the Church and the State which must be more transparent and abandon the exclusivity in representing only one or two tribes.”

Mazzolari first arrived in Sudan in 1981. He helped to release 150 child soldiers and reopened several missions. He was also kidnapped for 24 hours by the Sudan People's Liberation Army. On July 9 he took part in the ceremony declaring the independence of South Sudan.


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