The Parish Priest of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani, Father Patrick Maingi, has recalled emotional moments involving some of the 16 church members who died in a road accident while travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.

Father Maingi said some of the pilgrims appeared to have had a deep sense of peace in the days leading to their journey, leaving the church community reflecting on their final moments.

“I remember one of them approached me on Wednesday and told me, ‘Father, I am now at peace. I have achieved what I had been longing for,’” Father Maingi recalled.

He also narrated how another church member visited his office shortly before the journey and paid her tithe, explaining that she did not want to “go to God with any debt.”

“There is another one who came to the office and paid her tithe, saying she does not want to go to God with any debt,” he said.

According to Father Maingi, it is a norm at the church for members to pray before embarking on any journey, with the priest blessing them before departure.

“As a norm, before we start any journey, we have to pray and I bless the team. That is what I did on Friday afternoon before they left,” he said.

He said the moments have remained deeply emotional for the church, but added that the faith of the departed members should also give the congregation comfort.

“As a church, we should be proud that our colleagues are now in a better place, resting,” Father Maingi said.

The priest said he received news of the accident at around 12:10am after a traffic officer, who is also a member of the church, contacted him.

“I received the message of the accident at around 12:10am. The traffic officer who called me is a member of this church,” he said.

Father Maingi said the officer was able to identify some of the victims through the scarves they were wearing, which had been branded with the name of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church.

“He identified the victims from the scarves they were wearing on their heads, which had been branded St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church,” he said.

The priest said the church is now considering holding a special joint service to remember all the departed members.

“We are planning to have a joint service for all our departed colleagues here at the church. That will also depend on the planning team, but that is our wish,” Father Maingi said.

He also expressed gratitude to leaders and well-wishers who have stood with the church and bereaved families during the difficult period.

“We thank our leaders for standing with us during this difficult time,” he said.

The tragedy has plunged the Mikindani Catholic community into mourning, with relatives, friends and fellow worshippers coming to terms with the loss of the pilgrims who were travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.

The church continues to offer prayers and support to the bereaved families as preparations for the final send-off of the victims continue.