Zamboanga City, Philippines, Jan 20, 2008 / 23:24 pm
Father Jesus Reynaldo Roda, a missionary in the Southern Philippines murdered by armed men suspected of links to al-Qaeda, won praise for his courage around the world, MindaNews reports.
Father Roda, a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was serving at Notre Dame of Tabawan School as part of a humanitarian mission. On January 15, armed men forced their way into the school chapel in which the priest was praying. The priest resisted their kidnapping attempt, and was shot and killed.
According to a letter from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI was “saddened” over the “brutal and tragic killing” of the priest.
"Paying tribute to the courage and faithfulness shown by this generous priest in his ministry as head of Notre Dame School, his Holiness commends Father Roda's example to priests and people throughout the region, and especially to the young," Cardinal Bertone said.