"He has a great capacity for synthesis, and his doors are open to all, whether to those in government or to those in opposition."

"If no more fighting happens during the coming months, people will slowly gain confidence and start to come back."

The bishops' call in late November came after two priests and at least 60 civilians were killed Nov. 15.

More than 40 people were massacred on Nov. 15 during a guerrilla attack on the Cathedral of Alindao and an adjoining compound.

The Eastern Africa Province of the Jesuits confirmed the death of Victor-Luke Odhiambo, S.J., “with deep sadness and shock” in an announcement published on its Facebook account.

Thousands of Catholics in one of the world’s poorest nations are objecting after the church asked the government to collect a 10 percent tithe from worshippers on its behalf.