1367 Salesian shot dead after midnight mass in Nairobi
austraLasia 1367

Nairobi: Salesian missionary shot dead on return from Midnight Mass

NAIROBI: 25th December 2005 -- News just to hand of the tragic death of Fr Philip Valayam, missionary in East Africa (AFE) Province for the past ten years.  According to a communique released by AFE in the name of the Provincial, Fr Pulikal, Fr Philip had gone to the Uhura Camp to celebrate midnight mass there and on his return, near his community at DBYES in Nairobi, he was stopped by robbers.  The communique indicates that he reacted to the situation and was shot in the face.  Other details are currently scarce, but it would seem that Fr Philip died instantly.
   The Province is in shock and mourning over this tragedy and requests the prayers of Salesian communities.  Fr Philip was a much valued member of the DBYES  (Don Bosco Youth Educational Services) community in Nairobi.  He arrived in East Africa in 1995 where he was appointed to Tanzania.  He transferred to Nairobi, Kenya, in 2001 and, amongst other things, was a member of the Tanagza College, Catholic University of Eastern Africa academic board as Youth Ministry representative.
_____________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml