Comunicati ufficiali

Priest killed in Phoenix

(Vatican Radio) A young priest was killed in the city of Phoenix in the United States late Wednesday night, the apparent victim of an attempted burglary.

Father Kenneth Walker, 29, of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, died after being taken to a local hospital.

Another priest, Father Joseph Terra, FSSP, was also injured in the attack, which took place in the rectory of the Mater Misericordiae Mission in downtown Phoenix.

“We are stunned and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic assault perpetrated last night against Fr. Joseph Terra and Fr. Kenneth Walker,” the Diocese of Phoenix said in a statement.

Both priests are members of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. A communiqué issued by the FSSP General House, the society of apostolic life remembered Father Walker as “dearly loved by the people he served and his confreres in the Fraternity.” Father Walker had recently celebrated the second anniversary of his ordination.

Both the Diocese and the Fraternity asked for prayers for the victims, for their community, for their families and for their parish.

Police in Phoenix are investigating the crime, but have not identified any suspects.

Statement of the Diocese of Phoenix

We are stunned and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic assault perpetrated last night against Fr. Joseph Terra and Fr. Kenneth Walker, two religious order priests who belong to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

Fr. Walker's life was taken. Fr. Terra remains in critical condition but stable.

The reported attack occurred at Mater Misericordiae Mission in Phoenix.

The police are still gathering information and trying to sort through the details of this senseless act of violence. We ask that people offer prayers for both priests, the religious community, their families and the parish.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Communiqué of the Fraternity of Saint Peter General House

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter mourns the death of Rev. Kenneth Walker, FSSP, who was murdered on June 11, 2014 at the Rectory of Mater Misericordiae Parish in Phoenix, Arizona, where he served as assistant pastor. He was dearly loved by the faithful he served and his confreres in the Fraternity.

Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP, was also injured in the assault; he is hospitalized and in critical but stable condition.  We ask for your prayers for the health of Fr. Terra.

Police are still looking into what happened last night.  

We ask for your prayers for the repose of the soul of Fr. Walker and that God might grant great consolation to his family and his parishioners in this terrible tragedy.

Oremus

O God, Who didst give to thy servant, Kenneth, by his sacerdotal office, a share in the priesthood of the Apostles, grant, we implore, that he may also be one of their company forever in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Requiem Aeternam dona ei, Domine,

Et lux perpetua luceat ei.

Requiescat in pace.

Vatican Radio