Four Nuns Who Succumbed to COVID-19 in South Africa “were generous servants of the Lord”

“We wish to assure your Bishop, Sithembele Sipuka that we are close to him and the diocese on this tragedy. We assure you, dear Sisters, that your loss is not only felt by the Congregation but by the whole South African Church,” the Catholic Church leaders have said in the message of condolences signed by their spokesperson, the Archbishop emeritus of Pretoria, William Slattery.

“While we mourn them, we express heartfelt gratitude for their service to God’s people over many years,” the Bishops have said.

In an interview with ACI Africa, SACBC Communications Officer, Fr. Paul Tatu said that the people of God in South Africa are still in shock after the loss of the four Sisters.

Fr. Paul disclosed that three of the sisters who passed on were organizing for the burial of one of their own who had succumbed to the new coronavirus when they received news that they too had contracted the virus. They died shortly afterwards.

The South African Cleric said that one of the sisters who works at a Catholic-run hospital in the diocese tested positive of COVID-19 and has since been quarantined.

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“When the sister tested positive of COVID-19, the other sisters in her community were made to undergo mandatory testing to establish their status. Some results were brought over the weekend and three sisters who tested positive passed on,” Fr. Paul said told ACI Africa Monday, June 15 and added that the nuns who have passed on were senior members of the community, with the youngest aged around 60.

In the meantime, it has been discovered that more Sisters are infected, young and old. Presently 17 have tested positive, 15 are negative and 3 are still waiting for the results of the test. 

The names of the Sisters who died are: Sr. Celine Nxopo on the 8th (buried on 15th), Sr. Maria Cord Wardhor, on the 12th, Sr. Martha Anne Dlamini on the 13th and Sr. Beautrice Khofu on 14th of June.

Confirming the COVID-19 related deaths, the President of Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life (LCCL) in South Africa, Sr. Nkhensani Shibambu said that one of the four Sisters who passed on was buried on Monday, June 15.

“Over the weekend we received the sad news of the passing away of four Precious Blood Sisters of the Mthatha Province, who died as a result of COVID-19 related diseases,” said Sr. Nkhensani, and added, “One of the sisters was buried on Monday, 15^th June 2020 and arrangements are underway for the burial of the three other sisters on Saturday, 20^th June 2020.”

In her message of condolence, Sr. Nkhensani noted that the Precious Blood Sisters’ cases were the first confirmed cases among Religious Orders in Southern Africa.

“We would like to express our solidarity with the congregation and wish to extend our heartfelt condolences as the LCCL. Let us continue praying for them and for the Diocese of Mthatha,” the LCCL President said, and added, “Let us continue praying for one another and for each other’s safety during this period of uncertainty.”

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.