ASIA/INDIA - Parish priest killed in archdiocese of Goa

Goa (Fides Service) - A Catholic Fr. Eusebio Ferrao, aged 61, parish priest of St Francis church at Macasana in the southern part of the state of Goa, south west India, was found dead on 18 March. The body was found by parishioners who went looking for the priest after he failed to appear for Saturday morning Mass, according to the SAR News, the official bulletin of the Indian Bishops’ Conference. It would seem that Fr Ferrao was suffocated with a pillow. The reason for the murder has not been discovered.
The archdiocese of Goa is still under shock. “We are horrified at this brutal act and strongly condemn this ruthless killing of an innocent man and ask for the culprits to be brought to justice”, says an archdiocese statement. His parishioner describe Fr. Ferrao has a man of peace who had no enemies. He was a member of the diocesan commission for liturgy and served his parish community of 3,200 Catholics with zeal and humility.
(Agenzia Fides 20/03/2006 Righe: 23 Parole: 242)