Another priest murdered

From the East Standard, Dec. 26, 2005:

The Catholic Church has condemned the murder of Father Philip Valayam, who was shot dead shortly after celebrating Christmas Mass with orphans in Nairobi.

The Chairman of the Episcopal Conference, Bishop Cornelius Korir, accused the Government of laxity on the issue of security in the country.

Father Philip Valayam, a priest at Nairobi‚s Don Bosco Church, was murdered some 200 metres away from the Don Bosco Youth Educational Service on Dagoretti Market Road in Karen, where he resided. He had just returned from Uhuru Camp, Mbagathi, where he celebrated Mass with orphaned children.

Korir, who is also the Eldoret Diocese Bishop, said too many guns in the country were in the wrong hands. He said it was unfortunate that a missionary who had given his entire life for the benefit of Kenyans had been killed.

The Bishop said the church was saddened by the increased killing of missionaries in the country and asked the Government to intensify security.

The Episcopal Conference, which is the umbrella body of 28 Catholic diocese, also sent a message of condolence to the Don Bosco community.

Father Philip joins a list of missionaries who have been violently killed by gunmen in the country. The Catholic clerics who have been killed in the recent past include Bishop Luigi Locati of Isiolo, the Mill Hill priest, Fr John Kaiser and Father John Hannon.