Brasilia, Brazil, Dec 16, 2009 / 02:55 pm (CNA).- The Bishops’ Conference of Brazil has condemned the murder of Father Alvino Broering, who was stabbed to death on Monday morning in the town of Itajai in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. He was chaplain at the Universitiy of Vale do Itajai.

According to police reports, Father Broering, 46, appeared to be the victim of a break-in and was attacked several times with a knife by an unknown man.

The priest was alive when rescued, but did not survive the injuries. Police are currently looking for clues to lead them to the murderer.

After Fr. Broering's wake at the Cathedral in Itajai, Archbishop Murilo Sebastiao Krieger of Florianoplis celebrated his funeral Mass.

Statement from the Brazilian bishops

In a statement released three days prior to the murder of Fr. Broering, the Brazilian bishops condemned the killing of five other priests in Brazil in 2009. They noted that the bishops’ conference “will continue to be committed to the struggle for justice and peace because Christ came that all may have life and have it in abundance.”

The bishop extended their “love and gratitude to the priests of Brazil. We pray to God that, in fidelity to Christ, they may remain persevering, faithful shepherds dedicated to the people who have been entrusted to them.”

11:03 pm | Homilies should not exceed eight minutes, advises Vatican prelate

08:30 pm | Catholic bishops maintain celibacy not linked to pedophilia

06:49 pm | 'Union of Mothers' formed in Spain to protect women and motherhood

05:21 pm | Pope to visit Evangelical Lutheran Community of Rome next Sunday

03:46 pm | Dutch Catholic leaders call for external investigation of sex abuse cases

French priest killed in South Africa

Missionary Orthodox priest laid to rest after being murdered by masked gunman

U.S. bishops remember slain El Salvador priests

Archbishop laments murder of priest in Brazil