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| Mariannhill English
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| 27.12.2009 |
| Papua New Guinea: Death of Bishop Henry van Lieshout is a great SHOCK |
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| Bishop Henry van Lieshout was conferred the title of Chief and invested with the Insignia of the Grand Companions of the Order of Logohu (Bird of Paradise)(“GCL”) |
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Dear Confreres and friends,
it is with great sadness, that the Papua New Guinea Province of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill has to inform you about the sudden passing away of Bishop Henry van Lieshout CMM at the 24th of December 2009.
Bishop Henry was born at the 19.03.1932 in Venlo, NL. He made his first profession at the 08.09.1954. He was ordained priest at the 12.07.1959, and became the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Lae at the 26.08.1967.
As Bishop Henry was for 40 years our Bishop and the Diocese in this time extended in many ways, Bishop Henry is by many of the faithful regarded as "papa bilong yumi" (our father). His death comes as a great shock to Bishop Chris Blouin CMM, and the priests, religious, and laity of our diocese.
Bishop Henry suffered the last days of swollen legs and complained about the strong medication. He was otherwise active as always and visited in the morning still the compound of St. Mary's Cathedral. At 5.30 p.m. he spoke on the phone with the catechist of St. Martin's Parish and confirmed that he will celebrate the Christmas Mass at 7 p.m. However, he did not come for the mass and the parishioners couldn't reach him as he didn't anser the phone and the gate to Mariannhill House was locked. At around 10 p.m. Fr. Ignatius Bwalya CMM and Sr. Elizabeth CPS returned from their Chrismas Mass and checked on Bishop Henry. They found him dead, sitting in his armchair.
On Saturday (26th of December) hundrets of people gathered for a traditional "haus krai" (vigil).
The funeral will be on Wednesday 30th of December at St. Mary's Cathedral with the following program:
08.00 - 10.00 a.m. Viewing of the body
10.00 a.m. Funeral Mass
12.30 p.m. Convoy to the Pastoral Centre in 8-mile
13.30 p.m. Funeral next to the grave of Fr. Hubert Hofmans CMM
The funeral mass will be presided by the Nuntio from Port Moresby.
The archbishops of Mount Hagen and Madang, and bishops from Goroka, Kerema, and Bougainville have confirmed their attendance.
We thank all of you already now for all messages of condolence and we ask for your prayers, also for the sister and family of Bishop Henry in the Netherlands. Thank you all indeed and may God bless you.
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| Fr. Arnold Schmitt (Provincial Superior) | E-Mail |
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