Dutch Missionary, 62, Is Killed for $11 in Oceania

ROME, NOV. 25, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A day after John Paul II promulgated the apostolic exhortation «Ecclesia in Oceania,» a Dutch missionary priest was killed in that continent.

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Father Hubert Hofmans, 62, of the Mariannhill Missionaries, was killed Friday near Lae, Papua New Guinea.

The priest was delivering the equivalent of $11.64 to a family who had done some work for the Church when he was attacked, killed and robbed of the cash, a report said.

Father Hofmans was in charge of the Mariannhill´s Antioch movement. He arrived in Papua New Guinea as a religious brother about 30 years ago and was ordained a priest in 1987.

Bishop Cesare Bonivento of Vanimo told Vatican Radio: «Papua New Guinea is experiencing a great social and economic crisis. Everyone is attacked, especially those whom it is believed have some money. Sometimes they are disappointed: Father Hubert had only a few coins.»

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