Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service)-“ The country seems to be degenerating systematically to a state of anarchy, where there is no rule of law” the Catholic Bishops of Kenya said in a message of condolence addressed to ‘Bishop Cornelius Schilder of the Catholic Diocese of Ngong, the Society of African Missions [SMA], family, relatives and friends of the late Fr John Hannon’ SMA. The Irish born missionary was parish priest at St. Barnaba church, Metasia, in the diocese of Ngong, murdered near the parish house during the night of 24 November (see Fides 26 November 2004).
“It has happened yet again! Another innocent, peace loving and servant of God has been grisly murdered. This has been done within the sacrosanct premises of the Church compound. Fr John Hannon SMA was butchered by people who knew him, people he provided employment for” the Bishops affirm.
In the message, signed by the president of the Bishops’ Conference Archbishop Cornelius Karap Korir, the prelates voice concern for the situation in general in Kenya. “The humble servants of God, who hitherto were respected and adored, are now tortured, butchered, desecrated and killed…It is a worrying trend in our country that most of the victims of crime are the innocent, helpless and the indefensible. Old people, women, children and the weak. It looks more like sacrifices than just 'ordinary' killings” said the Catholic Bishops. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/12/2004 righe 22 parole 243)
