Catholics pay final tribute to Bishop Lele

Hundreds of mourners Tuesday thronged Loreto Primary School to pay their last respects to the late Archbishop Boniface Lele in a Mass that also brought together political rivals from the Coast region.

Security was tight with regular and Administration Police officers monitoring the funeral with those attending required to undergo mandatory security checks.

The funeral procession left the Holy Ghost Cathedral at about 7.45 am, after a night of prayers. Faithful had a chance to view the body at Loreto Primary School. It took about three hours for mourners to view the body.

Traders made roaring business selling rosaries, crosses and other memorabilia, including T-shirts bearing the archbishops image.

After the service ended at 12.28 pm, different speakers among them Lands cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu, were given a chance to address the mourners. Ms Ngilu read President Uhuru Kenyatta’s message before paying her own tribute.

Among the leaders at the funeral was Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

When Ms Ngilu finished her address, she walked over to Mr Musyoka and hugged him. The two were political rivals before Ms Ngilu became a state officer.

Mr Musyoka was not given a chance to address the mourners.

Speaking to the media later, he and his Cord co-principal Moses Wetangula complained of being denied a chance to pay their tributes to archbishop.

In his address to the gathering, the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Mombasa secretariat said Archbishop Lele loved a Kenyan melody, Rebecca Wanisumbua, which he occasionally wanted played for him.

But what came out clearly from all and sundry was the prelate’s humble nature and generosity that endeared him to those who interacted with him at different levels.

There was a light moment when John Cardinal Njue told the mourners that his Kiswahili was of high standard. However, he had difficulty expressing himself in the national language, causing laughter.

He challenged those in attendance to adhere to Archbishop Lele’s teachings on marriage and good parenting.

At about 1.40 pm, Nairobi senator Gidion Mbuvi Sonko made his entry with a contingent of orderlies causing a stir as the congregation acknowledged his presence.

After a brief prayer led by Cardinal Njue, the procession began at 2pm toward the Holy Ghost Cathedral through Nyerere Avenue.

Only Catholic bishops, Father Ernest Mutua — who was to conduct the burial ceremony — selected family members and two media photographers were be allowed at the grotto where the Archbishop was buried.

The brief ceremony was conducted by Bishop Emanuel Barbara.

This was followed by placing the casket into the grotto by the Catholic Men Association who gave way to the masons who were left to seal the cave using cement and wire mesh.

The unique cave was reminiscent of how Jesus Christ was buried after His crucifixion. When the ceremony ended, mourners were allowed sprinkle soil at the burial site.