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Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - “All three of the murdered Italian nuns had serious health conditions , but all three,
AFRICA/BURUNDI - “The murdered nuns asked to be buried in Africa: love to the very end” says former regional Xavarian superior
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - “All three of the murdered Italian nuns had serious health conditions , but all three, almost stubbornly, wanted to be buried in Burundi, a mark of love to the end” Fides learned from Sister Delia Guadagnini, former Regional Superior of the Xaverian Missionary Sisters of Mary for Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi who knew very well, sister Lucia Pulici, sister Olga Raschietti and sister Bernadetta Boggian, murdered in the mission Kamenge, a northern district of Bujumbura (capital of Burundi), where they served in a parish dedicated to the founder of their Order, Saint Guido Maria Conforti (see Fides 8/9/2014).
Sr Delia explains: “the three nuns returned to the parish agreeing to take on lighter tasks, because poor health prevented them from their former activities. Totally at the service of the people, making home visits, helping the poor the sisters were greatly loved by the people”. This is why, the former Superior continues, “we cannot understand. In Burundi there was never any misunderstanding and we cannot imagine who would want to hurt us in such an evil manner. What happed is a tragedy and a mystery”.
Regarding investigations Sr Delia says: “The authorities in Burundi are unwilling to comment. They say investigations are underway and some people are being questioned. The local people are dismayed and find no explanation for such a cruel act. All we know is that a person seen previously in the area near the parish compound, was seen again leaving the parish after the murder of Sr Bernadetta, passing in front of the window of the only nun not hurt because she had locked herself in”.
Sr Delia, who is in Uvira (Democratic Republic of Congo) on the opposite side of Lake Tanganica to Bujumbura, went to the mission yesterday morning. “We are going to Bujumbura for the funeral. Then we will undertake the long journey to take the sisters’ coffins to the Xaverian cemetery in Bukavu (east DRC) where on Thursday there will be a mass in the Cathedral. The bodies will not be brought back to Italy. This was the wish of all three of out sister missionaries, and also the desire of the people they loved an served who want to keep them here in Africa. A mark of love to the end” concludes the nun. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2014)
