Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - "The death of Father Jeremiah Roche has aroused strong emotions in his community and in his homeland, Ireland, where the newspapers have given prominence to his killing," Fr. Cooney, of the General Curia House of the Society of St. Patrick for Foreign Missions, tells Fides. Fr. Jeremiah Roche was murdered on the night between 10 and 11 of December by some strangers who entered his home in Kericho, 250 kilometers from Nairobi.
The body of the missionary was discovered by some parishioners who were surprised by the fact that Fr. Roche had not come to celebrate the 6am Mass. The missionary was found lying in his bed with his hands tied and with machete wounds to the head.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has asked Kenyan authorities to perform a thorough investigation into Fr. Roche's death. Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said he had spoken to Fr Roche’s family yesterday morning to convey his sympathies and offer assistance. “His untimely death is yet another terrible reminder of the threats faced daily by our missionaries and aid workers all over the world,” Mr. Martin added. President Mary McAleese also offered her sympathies. “Our thoughts and prayers are especially with the Roche family as they face this sad loss and tragic news,” she said.
Fr. Roche had served in Kenya since 1968 and had recently completed a new church. “Fr. Roche had initiated various development projects, thanks to his incessant fund-raising, which was supported by his family. When he went to visit her 10 brothers and sisters, in addition to his nieces and nephews,who live both in Ireland and the United States, Fr. Roche did not return empty handed,” Fr. Cooney tells Fides. “Probably some local youths, as the local police commander - a good friend of Fr Roche, too – who thought the missionary had some kind of treasure and entered the house for a robbery that had a tragic end." (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/12/2009)
