14 December – Cardinal Brady’s Statement on the killing of Father Jeremiah Roche in Kenya

On his arrival back from Rome Cardinal Seán Brady issued the following statement on the killing of Fr Jeremiah Roche in Kenya:

“I was very saddened to hear the news of the vicious killing of Father Jeremiah Roche in Kericho, Kenya. I deeply sympathise with Father Roche’s family and his confrers in the St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers) at this very difficult time. The gruesome circumstances surrounding Father Roche’s death have also shocked all those who loved and admired him in his parish in Kericho and in his home parish of Athea, Co Limerick, where he planned to retire next year having spent over 40 years working as a missionary priest.

“Father Roche’s death is a reminder to us of the great sacrifice of those who risk their lives answering God’s call to bring the Good News to the poorest of the poor around the world. I pray especially for the safety of our religious and lay missionaries who work under the threat of violence in their communities.”