Uvira (Fides Service)- “He wanted to die here among the people he served for more than 30 years” Italian Xaverian missionary, Father Luigi Lo Stocco, director of Radio Maria “Wa Amani” in Bukavu in the east of Democratic Republic Congo, told Fides referring to the death of Brother Luciano Ghini, Xaverian coadjutor missionary. “Brother Luciano died yesterday 25 June at 6.45 in the evening in a locality near Uvira not far from Kamanyola, where recently there was fierce fighting between regular army troops and rebels militia ” Father Luigi said.
“For some time Brother Luciano had been suffering from cancer of the throat: he returned from Italy only recently because he wanted to die here among ‘his’ people”.
Brother Luciano, aged 61, came from the Italian province of Bergamo. He served as a missionary in Congo for more than 30 years and was mainly involved in pastoral care and assistance for youth. “He was loved by all for his readiness to listen and help and his desire to be a brother and a friend to everyone he met ” Father Luigi recalled.
In Congo, tormented once again by winds of war, the Christian life and testimony of Brother Luciano remains as a source of encouragment and comfort to these people innocent victims of violence. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2004 righe 20 parole 219)