Cuba Mourns Spanish Missionary

The Archdiocese of Havana reported the death of Father Eduardo de la Fuente Serrano, 59, of the Archdiocese of Madrid. He had been working in Cuba since 2006.

The police found the body Saturday and according to initial investigations reported that he "had been the victim of a criminal act." The priest's car was found in another location and burned.

"This is an extraordinary and unusual occurrence for the Church in Cuba," lamented a statement on the archdiocesan Web site. "Faced with this tragic event, we implore God to grant eternal rest to the soul of Father Eduardo and we implore his mercy for the perpetrators."

The archdiocese expressed its sorrow for the family, friends and Father de la Fuente's brother priests from the Archdiocese of Madrid. The statement also expressed its closeness and encouragement for "all the missionaries who come from other nations and offer their service to the Church and people of Cuba."

The priest's remains are to be transferred to Spain.