Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) – The month of August has been a month of mourning for the community of Redemptorists in Latin America. Two Redemptorist priests from Colombia – Fr. Laureano Diaz and Fr. Francisco Perez – were killed in a car accident that occurred in the early hours of August 11, in the Department of Beni, in northern Bolivia, on the border with Brazil, at the Beni River. According to a statement issued by the Bolivian Bishops' Conference, the two Redemptorists, along with other priests and religious of the Apostolic Vicariate of Reyes (Bolivia) were traveling to the city of Tumuphasa, for the funeral of their confrere, Fr. Diego Shurman, who had worked many years in the area. The brakes malfunctioned and their car went off the road, falling off the bridge and into the river. Fr. Laureano, although rescued, died shortly after. The remains of Fr. Francisco have still not been found.
Another tragic death was that of Fr. Leopoldo Cruz, a Redemptorist from El Salvador, who had been missing since the middle of August. His body was found on August 24, in a canal in a rural part of El Salvador. The remains had begun decomposing, so it was difficult to determine immediately the cause of death. However, just days later, a juvenile was arrested driving Fr. Cruz's car. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 4/9/2009)
