VATICAN CITY, APR 9, 2002 (VIS) - Following is the telegram sent by Pope John Paul, through Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, to Bishop Libardo Ramirez Gomez of Garzon, Colombia, for the killing on Sunday of Fr. Juan Ramon Nunez as he was giving communion during Mass:
"Profoundly sorry at the sad news of the murder of Fr. Juan Ramon Nunez, while he was distributing communion during the celebration of Holy Mass, as well as of Feligres Joaquin Quebrada, His Holiness wishes to express his deepest sympathy to Your Excellency, to the priests and faithful of the diocese, and, especially to the parish community of Argentina in the province of Huila, at the same time offering prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims of such persistent and ferocious violence, so unjustified and random, that did not spare the life of a priest of Christ while he was exercising the sacred ministry.
"The Holy Father, who once again condemns vigorously any attack on the life and dignity of the person, invites the priests and other evangelizers of the diocese to place all their hope in the strength of life and peace that is born of Jesus resurrected, in order to continue their pastoral mission without discouragement.
"While he wishes to express also his paternal closeness to the families of Fr. Nunez and Mr. Quebrada in this painful circumstance, the Supreme Pontiff imparts to them, and to the ecclesiastical community, his comforting apostolic benediction."
TGR;MURDER PRIEST;...;COLUMBIA; SODANO;VIS;20020409;Word: 260;
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