Mozambique: young Consolata missionary killed during robbery

Fr Valentim Eduardo Camale, of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC), was brutally killed on Thursday, 3 May during a robbery at the mission of Liqueleva. Fides reports that Fr Valentim was attacked by four robbers about 8pm. He tried to stop one of the bandits, but was hit by the other three, who beat him to death. He was found in a pool of blood by Fr Fabio Malesa, who was coming back from his pastoral work, was rushed to hospital but died en route.

The Superior General of the Missionaries of the Consolata, Fr Stefano Camerlengo, who is visiting the communities of the Ivory Coast, wrote to all the missionaries of the institute:

"I invite you to join together in memory of our father Camale Valentim, who was killed this evening by bandits in our mission in Liqueleva in Mozambique. A violent death like this leaves us dismayed by the atrocities of what is happening and the helplessness that remains inside. It is not easy to see how much a life is worth in front of the dynamics of this event, it is not easy to "read" with faith such a death, it is not easy to understand the death and the reason of this young missionary, is not easy to justify and forgive who has committed such a violent act.

"This is why I invite every community to remember father Valentim with a community celebration by lighting a candle and to celebrate him in the silence of prayer so that the Lord welcomes him in heaven, gives comfort to his family and gives us peace and strength to continue to serve him in the mission in spite of everything!

"The law of the Gospel is that of the seed that once it fell on the ground it 'dies' to produce its fruit. May the Holy Spirit sustain us and especially those who are in conditions of pain, threat, and risk."

Source: Fides