Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)

Madagascar: Nun Killed in Mandritsara

6 March 2013

Antananarivo — A French nun has been killed in Mandritsara in the north-east of Madagascar.

Sister Marie Emmanuel Helesbeux was killed on March 01 in a village in Madagascar. "The nun was first hit with a stick and then strangled. Three people have been arrested and confessed to the crime. It seems that they owed the victim money," said Fr Luca Treglia, Director of Radio Don Bosco in Antananarivo.

Sister Marie Emmanuel Helesbeux of the Soeurs de la Providence (also known as "Soeurs de Saint Thérèse d'Avesnes") was 82 years old. She had spent 42 years on mission in Mandritsara, Madagascar.

"Upon hearing of the death of Sister Marie Emmanuel people took to the streets in protest," said Fr Luca.

On March 05, a crowd of youths tried to enter the prison where the suspects are being held, to lynch them, forcing police to fire into the crowd. One person was killed and several others were injured, three of them in critical condition.

The authorities have appealed for calm.

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  • Malagas
    Mar 13 2013, 12:48
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    A question is worth to be set up I think : is the Catholic option for the poor available in Africa and Madagascar,or is it better to make the poor rich ,that they can take care of their own poor .