Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Djibouti (Fides Service) – “We were deeply shocked by the news of the murder of Annalena” Mgr De Pretis, Vicar General of Djibouti tells Fides with regard to the death of medical Doctor Annalena Tonelli, killed yesterday in Moroma, Somaliland, northern Somalia. Mgr De Pretis gives details of the incident. “ Annalena was still at the hospital yesterday evening at about 8 when she was attacked by two armed men. One of them fired his gun at Annalena who died of head wounds after an hour of agony. Her body was taken to Hargheisa Hospital, the only one with a refrigerated morgue.
Mgr De Pretis says “Annalena had received threats many times and we fear she may have been killed for religious reasons. Annalena’s work was in fact Christian witness. Although not directly involved in works of apostolate, she was not there to convert people to God, she was a channel of His love”.
Since 1969 Annalena cared for people with tuberculosis in Borama a remote little town in northern Somalia on the border with Ethiopia and Djibouti. “Who will carry on her work now, we wonder – says Mgr De Pretis “She was the only European in the area. She received help from her family in Italy who had formed a support group.”
Bishop Giorgio Bertin apostolic administrator of Mogadishu at present in the Somali capital has said he will go to Hargheisa to render homage to Dr Tonelli.
LM (Fides Service 6/10/2003 EM lines 38 Words: 478)
