Rome (AsiaNews) – He was a parish priest in Rome, Fr. Andrea Santoro, before his departure for Turkey " to be a silent witness of Jesus Christ" : now " with this tragic event the name of yet another roman priest is written on the long list of those who have spilled their blood to carry out the Lord's work".  This is how Rome's Vicar, Cardinal Camillo Ruini remembers the missionary in a statement issued under his signature also as the president of Italy's Catholic bishops Conference, reflecting the deep sorrow of the Italian Church.

"Don Andrea – writes the Cardinal - deeply desired and persistently requested to be allowed to leave Rome for Anatolia". "The entire diocese of Rome, above all it's priests, who loved and admired Fr. Andrea, former parish priest of the Jesus of Nazereth and Sts Fabian and Venanzio parishes, have been profoundly saddened by this terribile news.  We raise a heartfelt prayer to the Lord for Fr. Andrea, for his elderly mother, his sisters and all of his relatives".

The diocese, "even in the midst of its' sorrow is proud of him, and thanks the Lord for the shining example of his witness,  in the humble certainty that from this witness new Christian life is Born".