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African convent attacked with three Italian elderly nuns killed

September 11, 2014 9:19 pm / 1 Comment on African convent attacked with three Italian elderly nuns killed

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  • Lucia Pulici, 75, Olga Raschietti, 82, and Bernardetta Boggia, 79, killed 
  • They had been at Roman Catholic convent in Kamenge, Burundi, for 7 years
  • Two were found ‘partially decapitated’ and raped in their dorm on Sunday
  • The nun who found them and raised the alarm was also found dead later 
  • Pope Francis is ‘greatly saddened’ by attack and has sent his condolences 

Three elderly nuns were raped and beaten before two were decapitated and another murdered in a convent in Burundi. The bodies of Bernardetta Boggia, 79, Lucia Pulici, 75, and Olga Raschietti, 82, were found in their dormitory in Kamenge, north of the capital of Bujumbura. Police said three suspects had been detained for questioning as they probe claims it was a botched robbery at the hands of a mentally unbalanced attacker.

Father Mario Pulicini, who is responsible for the parish in a northern suburb of Bujumbura, said Ms Pulici and Ms Raschietti were found ‘partially decapitated’ in their dormitory on Sunday. It appeared all three had been raped.

Police arrested a man for killing and raping the three elderly nuns murdered in twin attacks at their convent.  Reports said the man who carried out the first attack killing two nuns on Sunday afternoon, left and then the second attack took place on Monday morning. The police say on Sunday, he stabbed the first two and had beaten one with a rock. On Monday, the third nun was murdered in the same convent, her body beaten and head hacked off. read more

Thousands mourn the death of the Italian nuns. Mourners sobbed as Archbishop of Bujumbura Evariste Ngonagoye praised the life of service the three nuns had given in the impoverished nation, and condemned the “inhuman” crimes of the killer.

VOP: We are deeply sadden by the brutal murder of these women serving in love. Please pray for protection over the faithful in service— the hands and feet of Christ.