14
March 2009, 18hrs48
-
Halo Ntate! It is with much regret that I announce the passing
away of Fr Sepp Josef Anthofer omi (9841) this afternoon at
5.30pm in the Pretoria clinic. After the operation doctors
had hope temporarily but then later expressed less hope of
meaningful recovery. More details of his funeral will come
later. May he rest in peace!
12
March 2009 - Dear Oblates, Good day! Few days ago
on 17th February at Rabbuni Centre we celebrated in good spirit
our life and call as Oblates. Many celebrated their golden life
as Oblates of the Lord. Among them was Fr Sepp Anthofer omi:
a priest, an Oblate; a Christian spiritual guru with a difference;
a reconciler of humanity; a man of few words but of profound
wisdom, and a friend to us all. Today that great Oblate is in
hospital with serious spinal cord injuries. His future is now
in the hands of the Lord of life.
Yesterday,
11 March, in the early hours of the morning, Fr Anthofer started
with normal hours of his day but he fell and damaged his spinal
cord that have left him paralysed shoulder downwards and the
speech is temporarily gone. He is still conscious and his brain
is intact. A man who was active the day before became motionless
the next morning. Doctors are doing their best to bring back
to him what is possible to live. Let us pray for him!
I
thank very much Fr Michael Morrissey who did so much to be with
him till he was admitted in a private clinic; it was a heavy
day from early morning till late evening. Ntate thank you very
much! We also thank Fr Anthofer’s friends who supported
him, especially the Sisters who were on retreat. I also thank
Fr Bernard Albers who has agreed to look after the day to day
running of the Sediba Centre till a permanent solution is reached.
In
our shock and grief, we live in hope. In our immense hope; in
our hope against hope, we still cling tenaciously to our faith
in the risen Lord. May God be the centre of our attention as
we pray for Fr Sepp’s best recovery. God bless you all
and may this time of Lent bring many graces to us and to Fr
Anthofer.
Fr
Mosoeu
