Pope hails African missionaries
2009-12-13 19:34
Rome - Pope Benedict XVI paid tribute on Sunday to four missionaries murdered in separate incidents in Africa this month and called for peace.
"I have heard the sad news this week from certain African countries about the murders of four missionaries," the pope said in Sunday prayers.
"They were brave witnesses of the gospel which they proclaimed with courage, risking their lives," he said, calling on God for "peace and reconciliation".
Armed men killed Roman Catholic priest Monsignor Daniel Cizimya in his presbytery in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on December 5.
A nun, Sister Denise Kahambo Maharirwa, was shot dead by gunmen who raided a monastery in the same area two days later.
Father Louis Blondel was shot dead December 9 in his rectory during a burglary in a squatter camp in South Africa.
Irish priest Jerry Roche was killed in Kenya on December 11 in what reports said was a violent robbery.