Burundi nuncio's residence mortared

Reuter's reports that the residence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, has been damaged in a mortar attack by the rebel "Forces for National Liberation" during the latest outbreak of violence in the small but crucially important nation in the central lakes region of Africa. (See: Burundi rebels bomb capital, hit papal envoy's home)

Fortunately, Archbishop Gallagher was out of the country at the time and nobody was hurt at the residence. It is unlikely that the Archbishop's residence was deliberately targeted. Nevertheless, it must be a worrying time for him. He was ordained for the Liverpool archdiocese and has worked for many years in the Vatican diplomatic service. He moved to Burundi in 2004, replacing Archbishop Michael Courtney who was killed in a roadside ambush. I knew Archbishop Gallagher when I was in Rome as a student and would be very grateful if you could remember him and his mission in your prayers as well as praying for peace in Burundi and the region.

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