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Months after Resigning Due to Health Complications, Congolese Catholic Bishop Dies Aged 68

Late Bishop Daniel Nlandu Mayi. Credit: Matadi Diocese

Bishop Daniel Nlandu Mayi whose resignation was accepted by the Pope Francis in March this year passed on earlier this week at the age of 68.

The Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Matadi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died Sunday, December 12, a day after he presided over Thanksgiving Mass at Tumba Dia Zayi Institute, one of the schools of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Delasalle Brothers) in the Central African country.

The Apostolic Administrator of Matadi announced the passing on of the Congolese saying, “Monsignor Andre-Giraud Pindi, Apostolic Administrator of Matadi, has the deep sorrow of announcing to the whole Diocesan community the death of Monsignor Daniel Nlandu Mayi, Bishop Emeritus of Matadi.”

In the statement obtained by ACI Africa, Msgr. Andre-Giraud Pindi adds, “While recommending the soul of the illustrious deceased to the fervent prayers of the Congolese Church, united with those of all the Diocese of Matadi and all the Matadian Diocesan clergy, Monsignor the Apostolic Administrator sends his Christian condolences to the biological family of the deceased and to all those who have known this worthy and faithful servant of God and of the Church.”

The late Bishop, a native of DRC’s Kinshasa Archdiocese, was ordained a Priest of the same Metropolitan See in April 1980.

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He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kinshasa Archdiocese in October 1999 and ordained a Bishop in January 2000, becoming the titular Bishop of Cataquas. 

The late Catholic Prelate served as Apostolic Administrator of Kinshasa Archdiocese from January 2007 to February 2008 when Bishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya who was later elevated to Cardinal, was installed as the Local Ordinary of Kinshasa Archdiocese. 

In November 2008, he was transferred from Kinshasa Archdiocese to DRC’s Matadi Diocese as Coadjutor Bishop.

He became the Local Ordinary of Matadi Diocese in September 2010. On 6 March 2021, Pope Francis accepted his resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Matadi, and appointed Bishop Giraud Pindi as Apostolic Administrator of the Congolese Diocese.

Requiem Mass for the late Bishop has been scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 21 at the church of Our Lady of Fatima in the Diocese of Matadi.

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The Holy Mass is to be followed by exoneration and burial of the Bishop in Notre Dame Mediatrice Cathedral of Matadi Diocese.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.