BURUNDIÂÂ2/1/2004Â11:01
MURDER OF APOSTOLIC NUNCIO: NEW DETAILS OF HIS FINAL HOURS
Pending the official opening of the promised investigation into the death of Monsignor Michael Courtney, Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi, on 29 December in circumstances that remain unclear, reports from numerous sources in Burundi have permitted MISNA to reconstruct with reasonable precision the final hours of the prelateâs life. Monsignor Courtney left Bujumbura on 28 December around 12.30 local time, to spend a day in Chateaux Moso, not far from the parish of Minago, on the shore of Lake Tanganika, in the direction of Rumonge-Niyanza Lac, around 50 kilometres from the capital, on the invitation of Monsignor Bernard Bududira, the Bishop of Bururi. Church sources have said Monsignor Courtneyâs trip was motivated by the desire to visit the grave and the relatives of a young priest from Minago, Father Georges, who had died in Italy and whose body had been repatriated immediately after his death. His funeral had been held a few days earlier. The Nuncio went to the lake twice, in Chateaux Moso: on the afternoon of 28 December (for a meal in a local restaurant) and in the morning of 29 December (for a swim). On both occasions, he was accompanied by Monsignor Bududira. On both occasions, he met the defence minister, numerous soldiers and other authorities. He spent the night in the vicarage at Minago. On 29 December the Nuncio made a short visit to the grave of the young priest, situated within the parish. He had breakfast with Monsignor Bududira around 09.00, before going on foot to visit the family of the deceased, not far from the parish. At about 10.00 he returned to Chateaux Moso, again in the company of the Bishop of Bururi, for his swim. After lunching beneath a typical canopy as protection from the heavy rain, he was joined for the second time by a large group of soldiers, including the defence minister. The Nuncioâs car left for Bujumbura around 14.00 local time. Curiously, no-one offered to accompany the Vatican representative; normally, local custom requires that guests are always escorted for part of the way, especially if they are important. The Nuncio did not receive particular warnings of dangers or risks, though a youth had reported gunfire during the night near Rumonge (20 kilometres from Minago). The car, a Discovery jeep, fell into the ambush a couple of kilometres from the centre of Minago. A bullet hit the rear wheel on Monsignor Courtneyâs side of the car. The vehicle veered but remained on the carriageway. Shortly after, a second, violent shot tore the roof off the car. The prelate sustained at least three injuries: to his head, to a shoulder and to a leg. The jeep continued for at least a kilometre, until the driver was forced to stop to change the rear right wheel. Meanwhile, a unit of soldiers belonging to the regular army appeared on foot roughly 100 metres away. There were no other vehicles on the road. The soldiers ignored the broken-down vehicle and continued their walk. During the 40-kilometre ride to the capital the Nuncio gave no sign of life. He arrived at âPrince Rwagasoreâ clinic in Bujumbura at 15.30 and was declared dead at 18.00 local time.
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