AFRICA/BURUNDI - APOSTOLIC NUNCIO MURDERED BECAUSE HE WAS WORKING FOR PEACE IN BURUNDI

Bujumbura (Fides Service )- New details have emerged with regard to the murder of Archbishop Michael Aidan Courtney, Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi, on 29 December in an ambush at 50 km from the capital, Bujumbura. “The Archbishop was the target. The assassins’ aim was to kill the Nuncio. This was no mistake. Archbishop Courtney was travelling in a diplomatic car flying the Vatican flag. The attackers knew what they were doing: there were four persons in the car and only the Archbishop was hit” local Church sources told Fides.
According to IRIN news agency President of Burundi Domitien Ndayzeye and Bishop Bernard Bududira of Bururi who is vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Burundi have blamed the National Liberation Front rebels (FNL).
“Several eyewitnesses say two groups of armed men came down from the hills occupied by the FNL and took up position on the road where the Nuncio’s car was expected to pass” local sources told Fides, adding: “everyone here is certain that Archbishop Courtney was killed because he was working for peace. Many times he had pleaded with those involved in the violence to lay down their arms and take the path of dialogue and peace ”.
Grieving crowds attended the Archbishop’s funeral on 31 December in Bujumbura cathedral. “People flocked to lay their last respects to a man who devoted his apostolic mission to building peace in this war torn country. The funeral was attended by the highest state authorities including the President and heads of both parliament chambers. The President, visibly moved, expressed gratitude for the Nuncio’s efforts to bring peace to Burundi and he said that Archbishop Courtney was a genuine friend of Burundi” local sources told Fides (L.M.) (Fides Service 2/1/2004, lines 27 words 296)