GRIEF OF POPE OVER DEATH OF BISHOP LOCATI OF ISIOLO, KENYA

VATICAN CITY, JUL 16, 2005 (VIS) - Made public today was a telegram of condolence sent, in the Pope's name, by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano to Archbishop Alain Lebeaupin, apostolic nuncio to Kenya, for the murder on Thursday night of Bishop Luigi Locati, apostolic vicar of Isiolo.

  "The Holy Father," writes Cardinal Sodano, "was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Bishop Luigi Locati, and he extends heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his closeness in prayer to the clergy, religious and faithful of the apostolic vicariate of Isiolo. Commending the late bishop's noble soul to the infinite mercy of God our Father, His Holiness gives thanks for the selfless witness to the Gospel and the advancement of human dignity which characterized his priestly and episcopal ministry. He likewise prays that Bishop Locati's death may hasten the dawn of that peace and reconciliation to which he devoted himself to the last. To all assembled for the solemn Mass of Christian burial the Holy Father cordially imparts his apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in our Lord Jesus Christ."

  In another telegram, addressed to Archbishop Enrico Masseroni of Vercelli, Italy, the archdiocese of origin of Bishop Locati, Cardinal Sodano states that the Pope "expresses, to the diocesan community and to the relatives of the heroic missionary, his spiritual participation in their unexpected mourning. Recalling, with a spirit of gratitude to the Lord, the generous episcopal ministry undertaken by this worthy prelate among the Kenyan people, the Holy Father raises fervent prayers invoking ... the well-deserved eternal reward for the late pastor, and he sends to everyone the comfort of a special apostolic blessing in the light of the supreme certainties of faith."
TGR/MURDER BISHOP LOCATI/SODANO                VIS 20050718 (310)