Obituary for Rev. Modi Abel Nyorko
Father Modi Abel Nyorko was a generous and exceptionally kind person dedicating his life to serving others and sharing the Gospel with the people of South Sudan and the United States.
He was born on July 31, 1943, to Elizabeth Kaku and Nyorko Jangara in Juba, South Sudan. On April 3, 1971, Modi was ordained a priest in Macerata, Italy, by Bishop Ersilio Tonini, later Cardinal Tonini. For nearly fifty years he lived as a Comboni Missionary priest living a life of faith and selflessness.
Father Modis first assignment was to South Sudan where he worked for eight years, 19721980. During that time he founded the Comboni Primary School in Nzara a school that is still open today.
From 1980 to 1985, Father Modi was in the North American Province. During this time, he earned a masters degree in education at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later he studied Christology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. In 1985, he was called back to Juba by Archbishop Paolino Lukudu.
He became the vice rector in St. Paul National Major Seminary in Munuki, (Juba) from 1985 to 1989. Some of his students from St. Pauls Seminary include some bishops serving dioceses in Sudan. While serving as vice rector, Father Modi was also appointed Archdiocesan Director of the Youth Association, 19871989.
Following his time at St. Paul Major Seminary, Father Modi became the provincial superior of the South Sudan Province. During that time he worked with displaced people in camps in Juba.
After a sabbatical in Rome, Father Modi joined the North American Province again in 1997. He spent time in each of the five communities, always sharing the Gospel and his joyous smile.
Father Modi lived the last five years at the Cincinnati Mission Center. He died peacefully on June 1, 2020, from complications brought on by COVID-19.
A restricted visitation will be held at TP White & Sons Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, June 8. Visitors will be required to wear masks and maintain safe social distancing. He will be buried on Wednesday, June 10 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe, MI.
He was born on July 31, 1943, to Elizabeth Kaku and Nyorko Jangara in Juba, South Sudan. On April 3, 1971, Modi was ordained a priest in Macerata, Italy, by Bishop Ersilio Tonini, later Cardinal Tonini. For nearly fifty years he lived as a Comboni Missionary priest living a life of faith and selflessness.
Father Modis first assignment was to South Sudan where he worked for eight years, 19721980. During that time he founded the Comboni Primary School in Nzara a school that is still open today.
From 1980 to 1985, Father Modi was in the North American Province. During this time, he earned a masters degree in education at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later he studied Christology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. In 1985, he was called back to Juba by Archbishop Paolino Lukudu.
He became the vice rector in St. Paul National Major Seminary in Munuki, (Juba) from 1985 to 1989. Some of his students from St. Pauls Seminary include some bishops serving dioceses in Sudan. While serving as vice rector, Father Modi was also appointed Archdiocesan Director of the Youth Association, 19871989.
Following his time at St. Paul Major Seminary, Father Modi became the provincial superior of the South Sudan Province. During that time he worked with displaced people in camps in Juba.
After a sabbatical in Rome, Father Modi joined the North American Province again in 1997. He spent time in each of the five communities, always sharing the Gospel and his joyous smile.
Father Modi lived the last five years at the Cincinnati Mission Center. He died peacefully on June 1, 2020, from complications brought on by COVID-19.
A restricted visitation will be held at TP White & Sons Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, June 8. Visitors will be required to wear masks and maintain safe social distancing. He will be buried on Wednesday, June 10 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe, MI.