Missionary killed in Madagascar

Br Roger Morin, a 72-year-old Canadian missionary of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Lione, was killed on Friday, in political clashes in the town of Fianarantsoa, in Madagascar. The Missionary News Service report that Br Roger, who was responsible for the seminarians, was shot dead in his room as supporters of self-declared President Marc Ravalomanana tried to storm the governor's residence. Madagascar has been in turmoil since last December's elections, with two rival governments vying for power. Mr Ravalomanana claims he won them outright but official results say that neither he nor incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka gained the 50% of the vote needed to be declared the winner. For the past few days, violent street fighting has claimed several lives. The cathedral and other church buildings including the convent of the Sisters of Saint Joseph de Cluny are in the middle of the war zone.