Vatican City, Feb 6, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Following news of a second assassinated priest in one weekend, Pope Benedict XVI has sent his personal condolences to Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi, calling for an end to that country’s violence and what he called “works of death.”
Father Elie Koma, a Jesuit priest was killed on Saturday, February 4th, after becoming caught in a cross of fire between Burundi government soldiers, and rebel militia forces.
The letter, sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano in the Pope’s name said that "Upon learning about the tragic death of Fr. Elie Koma, S.J., the Holy Father asked me to express to all the members of his family and to his brother Jesuits his profound sorrow.”
Benedict, he said, offers “a fervent prayer to the Lord of Life for the dead and for all of those in mourning.”