Brazil: priest who worked with street children shot dead

A 64-year-old Spanish priest who worked with homeless children and young people in northeastern Brazil was shot dead last week, police confirmed on Friday.

Father Ramiro Ludueno, who worked with the MAMER organization, that assists street children in the city of Recife in Pernambuco state, was gunned down on Thursday evening by an unknown attacker after having dinner with friends.

Fr Ludueno, who had lived in Brazil for 34 years, was rushed to hospital but later died of his wounds.

His colleagues expressed shock at the killing. The street children project coordinator Fernando Gomes, said: "He got along well with everyone, I can't think of any reason for this attack."