OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Catholic Brother murdered

Port Moresby (Agenzia Fides) - A Catholic Brother from East New Britain was speared to death on Monday night outside Port Moresby. Br Augustine Taiwa, in his 40s, was attacked near the Xavier Institute at Bomana, where he had been attached as co-ordinator for pastoral courses at the institute for the past three years. Br Augustine, who belongs to the St John of God Brothers based in Aitape and Wewak, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Port Moresby General Hospital, after he was rushed there by police. NCD Superintendent (operations) John Anawe said Br Augustine was speared with a steel rod while he was driving a van between the Vanuatu junction and the Bomana seminary - along the road towards the Correctional Service Institution. Mr Anawe said one attacker threw a rod at the vehicle and speared the driver in the head. He said the attacker and two others — all believed to be from Central Province — were known to police and were expected to be caught soon.
Assistant co-ordinator at the institute Sister Mariah Koae said the attack on Br Augustine had shocked the institution, which had condemned the attack. She said the attack was unexpected on Br Augustine who was a man who had very close relationship with the locals in the area where he was attacked. Sr Mariah said Br Augustine was returning from town when he was attacked about 7.30pm. He lost control and he vehicle crashed into a tree. She said it was possible he was driving slowly with the left glass wound down, and so he was easily speared. Sr Mariah said it was normal for Br Augustine to drive at a slow speed in that area, especially when he approached the locals who were mostly street vendors along the road. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2006, righe 22, parole 310)