Paul Keenan
Police seek teenagers after vicious crime
Two elderly Salesians have died violently during a robbery at their community in Venezuela.
Fr Jesus Plaza, 80, (oictured) and Brother Luis Sanchez, 84 were reportedly stabbed to death during the course of a robbery on February 15 at the Don Bosco College in Valencia, a city west of the capital Caracas. Another Salesian, Brother David Marin, was also attacked, escaping with stab wounds to his leg.
Investigating police have stated they are searching for two teenagers, aged just 13 and 15 in relation to the incident, which saw computers, mobile phones and liturgical items stolen from the college.
Confirming the deaths, Fr Pascual Chavez, superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco said: "We pray for peace and for the restoration of the rule of law in the nation.”
A statement from the Archdiocese of Valencia said: "The Archbishop of Valencia, Msg. Reinaldo Del Prette in union with his brother priests, religious and laity, expresses our Church community’s deep sorrow and dismay for the murder of Fr Jesus Plaza and of Brother Luis Sanchez as well as acts of aggression and sacrilege of which they were victims at the religious community of the Don Bosco School. We are truly saddened and horrified by this reprehensible incident.”
