The clergy and Christians of Soroti Catholic Diocese are mourning the demise of Rev. Fr. Alex Ben Odeke who collapsed and died after a volleyball game.
Rev. Fr. Odeke has been serving as a Parish Priest of Uganda Martyr’s Parish Kachumbala in Bukedea district. He reportedly conducted his routine duties on Friday morning before joining players for a volleyball game in the afternoon.
“He had done his routine work earlier in the day; saying Mass, meeting and counseling people, playing volleyball in the afternoon. It is said that after playing, he collapsed and was rushed to Elgon Hospital, Mbale,” reads part of the message from Soroto Catholic Diocese.
Padre Gonzaga Ongereny, the Chancellor of Soroti Catholic Diocese says that the demise of Fr. Odeke has left the Church in shock.
“Brothers, the shock of the sudden demise of our Brother Fr Alex Odeke is devastating, but we need to pull ourselves together to plan for and carry out the needful,” reads the first paragraph in the tentative burial program released on Friday night.
Fr. Odeke has been described by some of his Christians in Bukedea and Serere as a hardworking and loving priest who served with loyalty.
According to the tentative burial program shared, Fr. Odeke will be buried on Monday at Soroti Diocesan Cemetery in Madera, Soroti East Division in Soroti City.
Last month, another Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Denis Isa Iranya reportedly collapsed and was pronounced dead at Pioneer Hospital in Arua City on arrival.
In 2020, the Venerable George Robert Okodu, the Archdeacon of Kapelebyong Church of Uganda in Soroti Diocese collapsed and was pronounced dead on arrival at Amuria Hospital. Venerable Okodu, 54, was conducting a funeral service in Odusai village, Kobuin parish in Kapelebyong district.
URN.