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.
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