Bishop Francis Mori
Germani Loyo was born in 1958 at Duwe of Serenge in Rokon, to a family of
Germani Loyo and Beersbeda Luba of Apoki clan. Bishop Loyo was citizen of Central
Equatoria State and died on Oct 2nd, 2021in Kampala.
Bishop Loyo academic journey
started with basic school in 1964-1965 in Rokon. In 1967-1968, Bishop Loyo joined
Christian Missionary Society (CMS) school in Juba, 1968-1974 Buluk Junior
and 1975-1978 completed Rumbek high school and obtained Sudan high School
Certificate. Furthermore, Bishop Loyo passion for education took him to distance
education, and 1979-1980, he enrolled in English Language Diploma at
Tutorial Colleges, distance Learning in UK. Additionally, in 1986-1989, he obtained
Diploma in Theology from Trinity College, University of Ghana
and in 1990-1993, he completed Bachelor of Divinity from St. Paul University,
Limuru, Kenya. In 2004-2005, Bishop Loyo completed master’s degree in
theology and Ministry from Durham University in UK.
Professionally, in 1979 Bishop’s
career started at Ministry of Legal Affairs, in Juba and was the Gazette
Proofreader. Between 1980-1986, he taught at Rumbek & Mundri high schools. In 1995, Bishop Loyo Co-founded “The Sudan Service
International” (ISS). The ISS is a church-based Wing Relief organization
charged with mission to offer medicine, agricultural tools, seeds, and food to
the suffering people of South Sudan.
Bishop Loyo ministries
commenced with his ordinations as deacon & pastor of Episcopal church of
Sudan in 1994. In 1995 late Bishop Loyo was elected Bishop of Episcopal church of
Rokon, and in 1997 was consecrated Bishop of Maridi Cathedral. over more, in 1998
Bishop Loyo was elected Assistant Episcopal Council Secretary & in 2008 appointed
Dean of Episcopal church of South Sudan, Central Equatoria State and Dean of Episcopal
church of Sudan in in 2008-2017. From 2018 until his death Bishop Francis Loyo was
assigned portfolio the Central Equatoria Internal State (CEIS).
Bishop Loyo will be
missed by his family members, Yangwara community both at home and diaspora, congregations
of Anglican common and the suffering body of Christ in South Sudan, friends and
colleagues, class-mates (Stephen Doctor Matatiya, & late Hitler Apolo)
specially, Benaiah Duku who remembered him as kind and hard working person,
very serious with his studies, very intelligent
and down to earth person, jolly person who loved to laugh, servant leader who
never forget his friends and he is not a corrupt Bishop. Mr. Duku added that,
Bishop Loyo was very active politically, and was a member of underground movement
that recruits new members to the SPLA under the leadership of Wani Igga. At one-point
in 1980s, Bishop Loyo was arrested & detained in the White house in Juba
and later was released unharmed. Also, the leadership of NAS has this to say
about his passing: He was one of very active Bishops with late Dr. Lino Gweki
in the liberated areas in No. 10, wanduraba, Katigari, Rokon, Moi Sokon. He provided
SPLA soldiers with many assistances that help SPLA to win many battles in Central
Equatoria. Gen. Thomas S. Cyrilio concluded his condolences with the following
words:
It
is a darkest day in South Sudan! It was very sad to learnt of the passing on of
His Lordship Bishop Francis Loyo. His Lordship was one of our spiritual leaders
during the liberation struggle. He was encouraging our people to keep their
hopes high during those difficult times, days, months, and years. May heartfelt
condolences to his family and the Yangwara community. May God rest his soul in
eternal peace.
In 2004-2005, I visited
Bishop Loyo in Durham University in UK when he was enrolled in his Master program,
and I can attest to Mr. Duku and Gen. Cyrilio’s testimonies about Bishop Loyo
spirit of servant leader. He introduced me to Dr. Rev. Joseph Bilal and his
family’s donors and invited me to meet his friend and some members of the Anglican
Common in UK. Bishop was very humble man of God. He carried the Cross of God in
Three Persons with courage, dignity, integrity, loyalty, and decency. He fights
a good fight & finished strong.
Final thought, Bishop
Loyo will be remembered for his passion for education. He built basic and junior
high schools in Rokon with stones very closed to “Moi sokon” hot water streams single
handed and with little support from donors. I encourage you to visit the school
he built without support from government and corrupt politicians and make
donations to support the school needs.
Finally, in 1974, Bishop Loyo,
married to his beloved wife late Linda Aguli Shalthiel Mulla a Moru, citizen of
western Equatoria State, and had seven (7) children and several grandchildren. His
death was attributed to kidney dialysis.
With our thoughts & prayers.
