Catholic Bishop Cornelius Korir is dead

Catholic Bishop Cornelius Korir of the Eldoret Diocese is dead.

Bishop Korir passed away in his Eldoret home and his body was transferred to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary on Monday morning.

The clergyman, who was known to be a peacemaker, is reported to have succumbed to a short illness. He died aged 67.

Bishop Philip Anyolo, who is the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, confirmed the sudden demise saying Bishop Korir was to be brought to Nairobi for further treatment today.

“He was supposed to travel to Karen Hospital in Nairobi this morning but when Father went to check on him, it was confirmed that he had passed on,” said Bishop Anyolo.

Addressing the press, Bishop Anyolo announced that a holy mass will be held today (Monday, October 30) from 1pm at the Eldoret cathedral in honour of the late bishop. A daily mass will, henceforth, be held at 1pm until Bishop Korir is laid to rest.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned Bishop Cornelius Korir of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, describing him as a great religious leader and an excellent peacemaker.

“I join the Catholic Church in mourning a great religious leader whose exemplary service calls for emulation by others,” President Kenyatta said.

“In this hour of sorrow, and on behalf of the people and Government of Kenya, I convey my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the ​Catholic church, and the ​family and friends of the late Bishop Korir.”

The slain bishop was the chairman of the Catholic Peace and Justice Commission and was vocal on matters touching on public interest.

About two weeks ago, Bishop Korir had called for dialogue between the Jubilee government and the opposition to end the political tension in the country.

In the run-up to the August 8 election, he had severally spoken out on the wave of chaos and hostility witnessed during both NASA and Jubilee rallies, urging political leaders to uphold peace.

Bishop Korir was ordained as a Catholic Priest in November 1982 and later consecrated as bishop in June 1990.