Italian priest murdered in the Philippines

The people of the town of Arakan in the Southern Philippines are mourning the death of their Italian parish priest who was shot dead this morning. 59 year old Father Fausto Tentorio belonged to the Rome-based Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions or PIME and had worked in the Philippines for over 30 years.

The priest had been about to travel to the provincial capital, Kidapawan city, to attend a clergy meeting of his diocese when he was gunned down.

According to witnesses, the gunman ran from the scene and investigators have not yet identified suspects or possible motives.

“Our first reaction is surprise because he (Fr Tentorio) was always telling us that the situation is very calm, the situation is not difficult”, says the head of the Asia News agency and PIME Missionary Father Bernardo Cervellera, who knew the murdered priest.

He told Lydia O’Kane that Father Tentorio was dedicated to the poor and lived a very simple but joyful life. Listen