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Pope distressed over Italian priest's murder in Mindanao


Pope Benedict XVI expressed his distress over the murder this week of Italian missionary Father Fausto Tentorio in North Cotabato in Mindanao. The 59-year-old Tentorio, A member of the Pontificio Instituto Missioni Estere (PIME or Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), is said to be a staunch anti-mining advocate who had previously received threats to his life. According to a report of AsiaNews, the Pope sent his condolences to Kidapawan Bishop Romulo de la Cruz and to the parishioners, family and fellow priests of Tentorio. The Pope also called for the renunciation of violence and the building a just and peaceful society. He also said he is praying for the eternal repose of the soul of Tentorio, the third priest in their congregation who was murdered in the Philippines Tentorio was shot and killed by a lone gunman inside the compound of the Mother of Perpetual Help parish church in Arakan at around 7:30 a.m. on October 17. Tentorio had been helping Christians, Muslims, and indigenous people. President Benigno Aquino III vowed on Tuesday to seek justice for the killing of Tentorio. Also on Tuesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) created a task force to look into the killing of Tentorio. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Tuesday said, "in line with the current set-up/mechanism, certain prosecutors will be assisting in evidence gathering and eventual case build up once perpetrators are identified." According to the PIME Philippines blog, two other Italian members of their congregation were murdered before Tentorio — Father Tullio Favali and Father Salvatore Carzedda. All three missionary priests were murdered in Mindanao — Tentorio and Favali in North Cotabato and Carzedda in Zamboanga City. - VVP, GMA News

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