Paul KeenanA Catholic priest has been killed in an apparent murder/suicide in Nicaragua.
According to investigators, 42-year-old Fr Juan Francisco Blandon Meza was in conversation with two women of his parish of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in Jinotega when the husband of one of the women opened fire on the group, killing his wife and the cleric before turning the gun on himself. It has been reported that the gunman had been suffering psychological problems.
Summing up the shock and grief felt by the people of Jinotega who knew Fr Meza, Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera paid tribute to the slain cleric, recalling “as a charismatic, sociable, cheerful priest, who inspired young people to follow Jesus Christ; motivated many lay people to believe and fight for the respect of the human person’s dignity, the common good and solidarity towards others".
Fr Meza’s funeral took place on April 9.
