Kenyan Catholic Missionary Priest Dies in Unclear Circumstances in Venezuela

The late Priest has been eulogized for his dedication and service to the indigenous Warao community of Venezuela.

According to the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Venezuela, Fr. K'Okal "became an apostle and brother of the Warao people, with whom he lived most of his priestly life. Always attentive to their needs and companion in their struggles.”

“We are left with the best memory of a joyful missionary who knew how to welcome everyone to offer comfort and closeness,” PMS officials in Venezuela say.

The Indigenous Council of Brazil (CIMI), says Fr. K’Okal was "one of the people with the greatest trajectory in working with the Warao people, contributing a lot in Brazil with pastoral groups and agents.”

For officials of the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM), the late Consolata Missionary was a "dedicated caretaker and defender of our Amazonian peoples and realities.”

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“His intense process of embodiment and commitment to these communities and surrounding realities led him to collaborate on a larger scale in the international coordination team of the Nucleus of Amazonian Peoples of REPAM,” they say and add, “REPAM mourns the departure of dear Father Josiah and stands in solidarity with his family, the family of the Consolata missionaries and the communities with which he lived."

Meanwhile, Fr. Juan Carlos Greco, a Consolata Missionary serving in Brazil, has called on the people of God who have encountered Fr. K’Okal to remember him with gratitude.  

“It's time to imitate examples! And to silence some words that can incite feelings contrary to everything that K'Okal taught us in the famous schools or workshops on forgiveness and reconciliation!” Fr. Greco said.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.