AFRICA/CONGO - Profound grief for tragic deaths of Italian missionary Fr Angelo Redaelli and the little villlage girl killed hit by the vehicle he was driving

Rome (Fides Service)- “Fr. Angelo had been on mission in Congo only two years but was already part of the community. His death was due to the tragic circumstances: in no way can his murder be taken for an act of hostility towards the Catholic missionaries” said Fr Ernesto Brezza a member of the Lombardy Friars Minor province with regard to the tragic death of Fr. Angelo Redaelli, aged 40, stabbed to death by an angry mob for having accidentally killed a little girl who without warning crossed the road on which he was driving the mission vehicle through a village about 30 km from Owando in northern central Congo.
“In recent months Fr. Angelo was working mainly in Mekua parish north of Owando not far from where the tragedy ocurred” said Fr Ernesto. “Besides pastoral work and catechesis he was particularly dedicated to caring for abandoned children. When the accident happened he was on his way to the local school for catechists.
In telegramme of sympathy to the Franciscan fraternity Bishop Ernest Kombo of Owando praised the late Fr. Angelo’s pastoral work particularly for children most disavantaged. The entire diocese is grieving the deaths of Fr Angelo and the little girl.
Fr. Ernesto said the body will propable be flown to Italy on 15 September and at the request of the family and the Franciscans the funeral will be held in Turate in the province of Varese where this evening there will be a prayer vigil for the repose of the soul of Fr Angelo.
The presence of Italian Franciscan friars in Congo is the fruit of collaboration of various Franciscan Provinces. “Our Francescans have been in Congo for many years working with other religious and missionary orders and with the local clergy. Several members of the community are local born Friars” Fr Ernesto concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/9/2005 righe 27 parole 311)