The Catholic Bishops of SACBC mourn the “tragic news of the death” of Father Paul Tatu. They emphasize that the priest’s murder “is not an isolated incident, but rather a distressing example of the deterioration of security and morality in South Africa.” The murdered Stigmatine religious had worked dedicatedly for several years as responsible for media and communication at the regional conference
Vatican News
Father Paul Tatu, a Stigmatine religious (Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ) from the Province of the Holy Redeemer, was murdered in Pretoria, on Saturday, April 27.
“We were inaccurately informed. We still don’t know the dynamics of what happened. Father Paul happened to witness a feminicide”, Father Gianni Piccolboni, 76 years old, Stigmatine missionary in South Africa for over 30 years, tells Fides Agency that among the many roles he held in the Congregation is also that of provincial superior. “The murderer – he adds Father Gianni – would have forced our confrere into a car, where he was shot in the back of the head to eliminate his testimony.”
Prayers for the Stigmatine priest and missionaries
Father Paul, 45 years old, originally from Lesotho, had worked in the communications office of the Episcopal Conference and was completing journalism courses at the university. “Let us pray for him and for the Stigmatine missionaries who suffer such great pain”, concludes Father Piccolboni.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa (southern region of the continent) – SACBC lamented the “tragic news of the death” of Father Paul Tatu. In the statement, signed by Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, president of the Episcopal Conference, it is recalled that the murdered Stigmatine religious had worked dedicatedly for several years as responsible for the media and communications at the regional conference.
The SACBC Catholic Bishops emphasize that the murder of Father Tatu “is not an isolated incident, but rather a distressing example of the deterioration of security and morality in South Africa”.
Province has communities in several countries in southern Africa
The presence of the Stigmatines in South Africa dates back to November 9, 1960, when the first Stigmatines arrived: Father Lino Inama, Father Dario Weger, Father Primo Carnovali and Brother Giuseppe Modena. After an experience as vice-province of around 20 years, it was erected as a Province on September 25, 2014. Its name “Most Holy Redeemer” comes from the title of the church in Mmakau, where the confreres began their apostolic work in 1960. Currently, the The province has communities in several southern African countries: South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi and Tanzania.
(with Fides)
Tags: South Africa Father Paul Tatu Stigmatine religious Lesotho murdered
