GER-VOLGA-L Archives

From: Ted Gerk <>
Subject: [GV] Volga area priest murdered
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002 15:04:33 -0800
In-Reply-To: <F68VZgrJi9Oo1uKDBA80001b245@hotmail.com>

I believe this story is from last year.

+++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/rusmur.html

RUSSIA - 13 December - 250 words
Russia: Priest murdered

A Catholic parish priest in Russia has been murdered, Bishop Clemens Pickel
announced on Tuesday.

Fr Krzysztof Niemyjski, 40, parish priest of Astrakhan, on the Volga delta,
was killed on 29 November, the bishop
who administers Southern Russia told Aid to the Church in Need.

He said the police had informed the apostolic administration in Saratov
about the murder on 8 December. The
cause of death established by the doctor had been 'poisoning'. A murder
investigation has now been launched.

Investigations have also begun into the attempted murder of the deacon who
had eaten lunch together with Fr
Niemyjski.

"This appalling murder brings home to us the challenges of bringing Christ's
hope to people in Russia," said Neville
Kyrke-Smith, UK director of Aid to the Church in Need.

"The Catholic Church in Russia is reaching thousands of families who were of
Catholic ethnic background,
dispersed to and around the prison camps by Stalin and his successors. The
economy and the law are in the
control of the local mafia - usually the former KGB - in many towns and
cities. Anyone who stands up and
challenges this power is a target.

"We will obviously wait to see what any investigation may reveal, but some
investigations into the murders of
priests have never been solved.

"Fr Krzysztof's death is a reminder to us of why the Gospel of God's love
needs preaching and proclaiming with
more fervour than ever this Christmas. May he rest in peace."

This thread:

• [GV] Maps by "Gary Nevard" <>

  • [GV] Volga area priest murdered by Ted Gerk <>