The Roman Catholic Bishop of Bissau, Settimio Ferrazzeta, 74, died at his home in Bissau in the early hours of today, two days after returning from Rome, where he underwent treatment for a fractured femur, Lusa reported. He had been ill in recent months. Diplomatic sources in Guinea Bissau told IRIN he died in his sleep while the Missionary news agency, MISNA, quoted initial reports attributing the cause of death to a heart attack.
The bishop was central to starting peace talks last year between the government and the Military Junta. He arrived in Bissau in 1955 and was consecrated bishop in 1977, Lusa said.
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