Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manizalez (Fides Service) - A ninety year old Italian Consolata missionary Fr Mario Bianco died in Manizales, Colombia, on 15 February after being attacked ten days earlier on 4 February by thieves. The bandits broke into what was formerly a Consolata Seminary building where the priest lived with another Italian missionary and a couple of local housekeepers. Some time ago the Consolata seminarians moved to other premises in Manizales, where the Consolata Missionaries have two communities. In the early evening on 4 February a gang of bandits broke into the house, beat and tied up Fr.Mario and the housekeeper and attacked the other priest who arrived home soon afterwards. The criminals searched for money and valuables for several hours and in the end made away with the community car, found two days later, taking with them objects for a value of a few thousand Euro. Fr. Mario was taken immediately to hospital as soon as the attackers had gone, however despite treatment he died of heart failure ten days later on 15 February. “He served in Colombia for almost 60 years, almost the whole of his missionary life, dedicating himself mainly to pastoral work - Fides was told by Consolata secretary Fr. José Luis Ponce de Léon, who first met Fr Mario about 30 years ago - and after the funeral, his body will be buried there”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/2/2007; righe 16, parole 237)
