Three nuns were murdered in Burundi over the weekend. Two of the elderly nuns had their throats slit.
ANSA reported:
Pope Francis said Monday that he was “deeply affected” after three Xaverian nuns working as missionaries in Burundi were killed.
The three nuns, named as Luci Pulici, 75; Olga Raschietti, 82; and Bernardetta Boggian, 79; were killed at their convent in Kamenge, a suburb of the capital, Bujumbura. “Deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Xaverian missionary sisters killed in Burundi, the Holy Father wishes to assure his heartfelt participation in the profound suffering of the congregation for the loss of such dedicated sisters and, in the hope that the blood they have shed may become the seed of hope to build true fraternity between peoples, he raises fervent prayers for the eternal repose of their souls and for their generous witness of the gospel,” read a message to the Xaverian order.
“To their families, the entire institute and those who mourn their loss, he imparts the comfort of his apostolic blessing.
Two of the three Italian nuns were found with their throats slit, an anonymous police official was quoted as saying by media. Kamenge Mayor Damien Baseka said two nuns were killed “savagely”. The bodies of Pulici and Raschietti, were found on Sunday, while Boggian’s was found early on Monday, Vatican radio said.
Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini expressed condolences overnight, and said the killings brought “great pain”.
MyFOXNY reported:
Italian officials say three missionary nuns have been found slain in their convent in Burundi.
The foreign ministry Monday confirmed the slayings in Kamenge, near Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital. The ministry declined to give details, including exactly when the slayings occurred.
The Italian missionary news agency Misna quoted the Saverian missionaries’ superior in the east African nation, the Rev. Mario Pulcini, as saying the bodies of two nuns were found Sunday afternoon by a third nun. He told Misna that during the night, other nuns telephoned to say they feared the attacker was still in the convent. When help arrived, the nun who had found the first two victims was herself found slain, Pulcini said.
Suor Lucia Pulici, suor Olga Raschietti e suor Bernardetta Boggian (La Stampa)
