TELEGRAM FOR TWO PRIESTS KILLED IN THE CONGO

VATICAN CITY, MAY 14, 2003 (VIS) - The following telegram, published yesterday afternoon, was sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, in the name of the Holy Father, to Bishop Leonard Dhejju of Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, upon the killing of two priests in that country:

"Very upset by the dramatic events that caused the deaths of Fathers Francois Xavier Cateso and Aime Ndjabu of the parish of Nyakasanza, the Holy Father entrusts the deceased, as well as all persons who have been killed in the same circumstances, to the infinite mercy of the God of love and peace. He wishes to express his great sympathy to you and he asks you to assure the families of the victims, as well as the Christians of the parish in Nyakasanza, of his prayers. The Pope invites everyone to commit themselves each day to following Christ by refusing violence, which is a path without a future, and to build a lasting peace founded on justice and respect for persons. As a sign of his comfort, His Holiness imparts his apostolic blessing to all persons touched by this mourning."

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