Blessed Are the Meek: The Life and Martyrdom of a Priest on Mission in Turkey

Fr. Andrea wanted to live in the Middle East —as Jesus lived there, with the humble gift of his life.— They killed him, crying out —Allah is great,— while he prayed

ROMA, February 7, 2006 —“ He had knelt down to pray shortly before celebrating the Mass in the little Catholic Church of Trabzon, in the north of Turkey, on the Black Sea, when a young man shot him in the back twice with a pistol, crying out —Allah is great.—

This is how Fr. Andrea Santoro, 60, of the diocese of Rome, a missionary in Turkey, was killed on Sunday, February 5.

Later, in another article featured on the same page, Fr. Andrea’s words about his goals appear.

—Open a window that would allow Western and Eastern Churches to exchange gifts, rediscover the sap that flows from the Jewish roots into the Christian tree, encourage a genuine and respectful dialogue between Christianity and Islam, and enable him to bear witness with his life and feelings, above all through prayer, the study of the Holy scriptures, friendships based on listening, talking, simplicity, his sincere believing and the way he lived.—

To me he is a martyr for Christ and for unity between East and West.

God is great indeed! Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us.