Retired Kenyan Bishop Silas Silvius Njiru dies of Covid-19 in Italy

Retired Meru Catholic Diocese Bishop Silas Silvius Njiru has died after contracting Covid-19 in Italy.

According to Father Pedro Josè da Silva Louro, the Secretary General of the Consolata Missionaries, the 91-year-old was hospitalized on April 25 after contracting the disease and died on April 28, 2020 at 12:30am.

Bishop Njiru, who retired in March 2004, was until his death residing at the Blessed Joseph Allamano house in Alpignano, Italy.

The deceased was born on October 10, 1928 and ordained as a priest on December 17, 1955 before being appointed auxiliary bishop of Meru on October 2, 1975.

On December 9, 1976, he was ordained Bishop of Meru and served until March 18, 2004 when he retired and later moved to Italy.

Rt. Reverend Salesius Mugambi, the Meru Bishop, has since expressed gratitude to Father Pedro Josè da Silva Louro for the care given to Bishop Njiru in Italy following his retirement, further adding that “I wish to let you organize for his burial in the Consolata Missionaries Cemetery.”

Deputy President William Ruto mourned Bishop Njiru as a “tender-hearted and gracious man with steadfast religious credence, which he instilled to many.”

“Bishop Njiru was a quiet and gentle faith leader who rendered distinctive care and support to the weak and the defenceless in society. Past the pulpit, he held clear views and deep commitment to social justice; he was ever working towards bringing people together,” said the DP.

We are devastated by the death of Silas Silvius Njiru, the Retired Catholic Bishop of the Meru Diocese. He was tender-hearted and gracious man with steadfast religious credence, which he instilled to many. pic.twitter.com/qBD0ZrS0BI

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 29, 2020