Report: Slain Italian priest's parishioners pray, sleep near coffin

In return for what he had done for them, parishioners and tribal folk whose lives were touched by slain missionary Fausto Tentorio have spent nights at the chapel where his remains were brought, praying and even sleeping next to his coffin, a Church-oriented news site reported. AsiaNews said the tribal people spent the night in the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to show their respect for Tentorio, who was gunned down Monday. "One could really feel the tension, the pain, but also the gratitude of the people for Father Fausto... Now he's dead, we discover that his commitment wa not only important to tribal folk of the Arakan Valley but also in other places like Davao," Fr. John Vettoretto (PIME), who had worked with Tentorio, said in an interview with AsiaNews. Tentorio, 59, was killed Monday morning by a masked gunman who later fled on a motorcycle. AsiaNews reported Tentorio's family from Lecco (Italy) will arrive in the Philippines on October 20. In the meantime, Vettoretto said there will be continuous vigils in the parish until October 25. On October 25, Tentorio's remains will be taken to the cathedral of Kidapawan, where Bishop Romulo de la Cruz will preside over the solemn funeral. Meanwhile, tents have been set up around the church to use as dormitories for visitors who go there to pray for the deceased. There are also stands where the faithful can eat. Mahogany tree as coffin Last Monday, PIME missionaries opened the last will and testament of Tentorio, who had spent more than 32 years in the Philippines. In it, Fr. Tentorio gives instructions for his burial, including being buried in the wood of a mahogany tree that he planted behind the church. Tentorio had taught the tribal folk to plant this valuable tree to improve their economic conditions. As an epitaph for the tomb, he chose the words of the prophet Micah (6.8): "You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God". In a document Tentorio sent to superiors long ago, he said: "Grateful to God for the great gift of missionary vocation, I am aware that it involves the possibility of being involved in situations of serious risk to my health and personal safety, due to epidemics, kidnappings, assaults and wars, even the possibility of a violent death. I accept it all in the confidence that I am in God's hands, and lay down my life for Christ and the spread of his Kingdom." AsiaNews reported Tentorio will be buried in the cemetery beside the grave of Fr. Tullio Favali, another PIME missionary, killed in 1985. So far, authorities have yet to determine who killed Tentorio. — LBG, GMA News