Father Andrea Santoro, aged 61, was killed exactly two years ago. He was the Italian missionary in Trebisonda, in Turkey. He was kneeling at the small church of the village when a man carrying a handgun shot him twice. One shot hit him at the heart, and Father Andrea died at once. Today, two years later, a Mass in his memory was celebrated in that very church. "His token of prayer at the time when he was killed will always remain an example of life, for us", wrote for SIR Ruben Tierrablanca, from the Fraternity of St. Mary Draperis, in Istanbul. "Apart from serving the very few Christians of his parish, relationship with the Turkish people of Muslim religion was his daily experience. He wished for the goodness of his people, and not only in the religious dimension. And he also wished for social justice. However, he was always fostered by his faith". "The account which Father Andrea Santoro left us, by sacrificing his life for his herd, pledges us to carry on dialogue with our Muslim brothers, and in particular, with those who, like us, take into account prayer as a fundamental option to express faith, a gift that is bound to give fruits in this land, hosting us".
