Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “Lord forgive them for they know not what they do” said the Jesuit provincial Fr. Bafuidinsoni Maloko-Mana when he heard the news that his Belgian confrere Fr. René de Haes SJ had been killed on 7 May by robbers in the road to the capital Kinshasa. The local news agency DIA said the priest was on his way back to the St Peter Canisius Seminary of which he was rector, when at about 8pm bandits his car was attacked by a gang of bandits who were sacking a deposit on the road.
The bandits opened fire on the car and the priest was hit at least five times. The assailants took his bag and fled. Seriously wounded Fr. de Haes was taken to hospital but died shortly after being admitted.
“It would appear to be a common criminal act, not political” said a spokesman of the Belgian foreign ministry. In fact Fr. René de Haes is the twelfth person to be killed this year in the area of Kindele, Mont Ngafula.
The priest’s death has caused widespread grief. “His death is a question because he left us on the day of the Ascension, the day the Lord’s entrusted his disciples with a mission and which Fr.. de Haes hands on to us to render this country liveable and not allow armed men to dictate law” Fr. Léonard Santedi, dean of theology at the Catholic University in Kinshasa told DIA. The Auxiliary Bishop of Kinshasa Dominique Bulamatari recalled the priests work and his ability to unite the cultures of Europe and Africa.
Fr. René de Haes was born on 9 September1933 a Heist-op-den-Berg, in Belgium. On 7 September 1952 he joined the Society of Jesus. He was ordained a priest on 8 August 1964 in Louvain. In 1968 Fr de Haes went on mission to Congo where he held various posts: in charge of African Jesuits, Superior of the Provincial House, superior of the Pierre Favre student community and also director of the Manresa Retirement Home.
In the academic field at Kinshasa Catholic university he was: professor; dean of the faculty of theology; secretary general. Fr. de Haes published various articles and collaborated with passion to promote formation of the laity. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2005 righe 45 parole 610)
