Fr. Joeven Matugas
Bishop Emeritus – Diocese of Makeni
Bishop Biguzzi died on the 1st of July 2024 in Parma, Italy.
His remains was carried to Sierra Leone on the 11th of July and landed in Lungi Airport on the evening of 12th July through Ethiopian airlines accompanied by Bishop Natale Paganelli.
His remains arrival was received by the entourage from Makeni Diocese led by Bishop Bob John Koroma and Fr. Dominic Johnson the Vicar General.
From the airport reception the remains was brought to St. Joseph Parish in Mazoila, Lungi. It there stayed the whole night with the Vigil Mass attended by the two parishes in Lungi – Mary Help of Christians in Tintafor and St. Joseph Mazoila. Bishop Koroma presided the first Vigil Mass and simultaneously all the parishes in the Diocese celebrated the Vigil Masses as well.
On the following day, Saturday, July 13th, the remains with the convoy moved from Lungi to Makeni. It made stop over in the Parishes along the Highway – Lokomasama, Portloko, Lunsar, Conforti, St Francis and Religious House.
The Civic Leaders and Local Government Officials of Makeni City also got involved in the reception of the remains led by the City Mayor. The Local Government of Makeni in paying honor and respect of the late Bishop made a statue for him at the town plaza and declared the Magburaka Road into a Biguzzi Road.
On the 14th night, there were three Vigil Masses organized by the Diocese in the Cathedral. The 1st Mas at 8:00 pm. The 2nd Mass at 10:30 pm. The 3rd Mass at 12:30 midnight. The 2nd Mass was allotted to the Xaverians. It was Presided by Fr. Marsel Rantetaruk the Regional Superior and the Homilist Fr. Luigi Brioni.
On the 15th of July Monday – the day of the Funeral and Interment of the late Bishop. The Mass started at 11:00 am in the Cathedral. The four Bishops in Sierra Leone with the Apostolic Nuncio came. Priests from four Dioceses and Religious Congregations were present. Good number of Sisters Congregation within the Diocese were also present. And the huge crowd of Lay People of the entire Diocese with representations from their respective Parishes.
The Mass was presided by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbp. Walter Erbi, DD. The Homily was delivered by Fr Joe Turay the Vice Chancellor of Unimak who knew well Bishop Biguzzi. The Final Commendation by Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles of Freetown. The Committal by Bishop Bob John Koroma. At exactly 2:15 pm, the late Bishop Biguzzi was laid to rest in his grave adjacent to the tomb of his predecessor the late Bishop Augustus Azzolini.
Bishop Emeritus – Diocese of Makeni
Bishop Biguzzi died on the 1st of July 2024 in Parma, Italy.
His remains was carried to Sierra Leone on the 11th of July and landed in Lungi Airport on the evening of 12th July through Ethiopian airlines accompanied by Bishop Natale Paganelli.
His remains arrival was received by the entourage from Makeni Diocese led by Bishop Bob John Koroma and Fr. Dominic Johnson the Vicar General.
From the airport reception the remains was brought to St. Joseph Parish in Mazoila, Lungi. It there stayed the whole night with the Vigil Mass attended by the two parishes in Lungi – Mary Help of Christians in Tintafor and St. Joseph Mazoila. Bishop Koroma presided the first Vigil Mass and simultaneously all the parishes in the Diocese celebrated the Vigil Masses as well.
On the following day, Saturday, July 13th, the remains with the convoy moved from Lungi to Makeni. It made stop over in the Parishes along the Highway – Lokomasama, Portloko, Lunsar, Conforti, St Francis and Religious House.
The Civic Leaders and Local Government Officials of Makeni City also got involved in the reception of the remains led by the City Mayor. The Local Government of Makeni in paying honor and respect of the late Bishop made a statue for him at the town plaza and declared the Magburaka Road into a Biguzzi Road.
On the 14th night, there were three Vigil Masses organized by the Diocese in the Cathedral. The 1st Mas at 8:00 pm. The 2nd Mass at 10:30 pm. The 3rd Mass at 12:30 midnight. The 2nd Mass was allotted to the Xaverians. It was Presided by Fr. Marsel Rantetaruk the Regional Superior and the Homilist Fr. Luigi Brioni.
On the 15th of July Monday – the day of the Funeral and Interment of the late Bishop. The Mass started at 11:00 am in the Cathedral. The four Bishops in Sierra Leone with the Apostolic Nuncio came. Priests from four Dioceses and Religious Congregations were present. Good number of Sisters Congregation within the Diocese were also present. And the huge crowd of Lay People of the entire Diocese with representations from their respective Parishes.
The Mass was presided by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbp. Walter Erbi, DD. The Homily was delivered by Fr Joe Turay the Vice Chancellor of Unimak who knew well Bishop Biguzzi. The Final Commendation by Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles of Freetown. The Committal by Bishop Bob John Koroma. At exactly 2:15 pm, the late Bishop Biguzzi was laid to rest in his grave adjacent to the tomb of his predecessor the late Bishop Augustus Azzolini.