BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
Grief today afternoon engulfed the residents of Kirembo Cell in Kagando Ward, Kisinga Town Council in Kasese district as the casket containing the body of the Late Rev. Can. Yositas Masereka Bakerethi was lowered into the grave.
The Late Rev. Can Masereka who was one of the longest services priests in South Rwenzori Diocese breathed his last on Tuesday at Kagando Hospital where he had been after battling with a stroke.
According to a family report read to the mourners by Rev. Enoch Manimake, the fallen Man of God was born of February 02, 1933 and was baptized on January 16, 1960 by Rev. Azalia Banobere. He was confirmed into the Anglican faith on August 05, 1960 by the Rt. Rev. Erick Sabiti at Kyarumba Church of Uganda Parish.
He was ordained deacon in 1985 by the founding Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese, the Rt. Rev. (rtd) Zebedee KahangwaMasereka.
Rev. Manimakerevealed that the deceased Priest retired from active service in 2008.According to him, the deceased breathed his last after serving as a Priest for 40 years.
Officiating at the funeral service as a Chief Mourner, Rt. Rev. (rtd) Zebedee Kahangwa Masereka applauded the deceased for having been a good servant, testifying that he was the one who ordained him a deacon and subsequently priested him.
In his preaching, Bishop Masereka encouraged the mourners to believe in God and work towards maintaining good names in an attempt to have sounding legacies.
The Bishop also encouraged the children of the deceased to remain calm and endure all the challenges associated with living without parents.
In his message delivered for him by the Diocesan Secretary, the Rev. Can. Nelson Walina, the South Rwenzori Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Nason Baluku told the family members and entire mourners that deceased was a loyal servant and did a good service to the church.
He called upon the bereaved family members to direct all their thoughts to God and have trust in him for the continuity of their lives.
Representing all the politicians, the Kasese District Chairperson, Mr. Eliphaz MuhindiBukombi applauded the church and the family of the deceased for caring about the Man of God and enabling him to raise good and responsible children.
Muhindi challenged the people to imitate the life and attitude of the deceased which is associated with a sounding legacy as evidenced by religion and formal education.
Before his retirement and death, Rev. Can. Yositas Masereka Bakarethi had served as Vicar at Kanamba, Maliba, Bugoye, Kyarumba, Kamughobe and Rwentutu Church of Uganda Parishes.
He also served as an Archdeacon for Maliba and Kisinga Archdeaconries between 1992 and 1999.
ENDS