Muslims in Syria will feel loss of murdered Jesuit
April 09,2014: The murder of Jesuit priest Fr. Frans van der Lugt is a great loss
for Muslims in Syria said an Indian Jesuit who runs a School in Minya, Egypt. Jesuit
Fr. Bimal Kerketta spoke to AsiaNews about his friendship with the slain Dutch Jesuit
priest, who lived in Syria for 50 years. He described Fr. Frans as a brave priest
who tried to hold together the local community, which included both Christians and
Muslims. Fr. Kerketta said before the war broke out in Syria, he visited Fr.Frans
twice in Homs and saw his work and daily activities. He said Fr. Frans always tried
to do his best to bring Muslims and Christians of various denominations together,
in every sphere of life. He spoke Arabic very well and had a good knowledge of
the Qur'an. He said Fr. Frans was fully integrated into the life and culture of the
Syrian people and many Muslims had come to live in the monastery under his care.
Fr Frans also ran special programmes for disabled Muslims and Christians, for the
needy, the disadvantaged and the marginalised of society. He also had special programmes
for women, who came to see him every day for job training and home economics and some
even worked in the vineyard of the Jesuit community. The Indian Jesuit said he was
sure that Syrian Muslims would feel his loss the most. Source>AsiaNews