SOUTH AFRICA: MURDER OF FR. DECLAN COLLINS SDB
CONFIRMED
JOHANNESBURG: November 18th -- Confreres of
Southern Africa and of Ireland are today in deep mourning for Fr. Declan Collins
SDB, found murdered near the front door of the Parish residence at Ennerdale,
Johannesburg. Fr. Robert Gore, Provincial AFM, communicated the news and
what details he knew to confreres today. The murder weapons, a brick and a
knife, were found in the house. The only item stolen was Fr. Declan's
wallet. Little else is known about who the perpetrator(s) might have been
or what the motive was, other than theft.
Fr. Declan was born on 30th May 1952 in
Termonfeckin, Co. Louth and ordained there on the 5th July 1990. Before coming
to the Salesians he worked in the Irish Bank. Both his parents are in their
nineties and he also has brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. His Salesian
ministry with street children and the poor, especially those who are
discriminated against by the social
and political system, is well known. More
than likely his body will be returned to Ireland to be buried in the family
plot. Please pray for the happy repose of Declan's soul, for comfort and
consolation for his family, and for the confreres of AFM and
Ireland.
