Catholics in Venezuela are mourning the loss of two Salesians who were murdered during a robbery.
On Saturday night. Father Jesus Plaza and Brother Luis Sanchez were killed when two teenagers aged 13 to 15 attempted to rob a Salesian school. Two Salesian priests were also seriously wounded in the attack.
According to Fides, the first of two celebrations was held today at the Church of Mary Help of Christians and was presided by the former director of the school, Fr. Johnny Reyes.
During his homily, Fr. Reyes said that while he is called to forgive the killers, he “cannot allow the life and work of the men killed to be put in doubt, because the whole community is witness of the example of their lives, totally committed to children.”
Archbishop Reinaldo Del Prette of Valencia celebrated a second Mass that saw the attendance of the town’s mayor. In a statement released after their deaths, the archbishop expressed his sorrow for the act of violence against the religious.
«We are truly saddened and horrified by this reprehensible incident,” the archbishop’s statement read.
