Jesuits martyred for their faith

Our service of faith and promotion of justice has made the Society confront the mystery of the Cross: some Jesuits have been exiled, imprisoned or put to death in their work of evangelisation.,
The following list of Jesuits killed over the last twelve years serves to illustrate the truth of the Congregation's statement: December 1, 1973 Bro Alfredo Perez Lobato (36) born at Regueras (Leon, Spain), a mason, killed by machine-gun fire at El Guera (Chad).
May 23, 1976 Bro Nicolas de Glos (65) born at Cannes (Alpes Maritimes, France), diocesan inspector, stabbed at N'Eljamena (Chad). October 12, 1976 Fr Joao-Bosco Burnier (59) born at Juiz de Fora (Brazil), missionary, killed at Ribeiro Bonito (Brazil).
February 6, 1977 Bro John Conway (57) born at Tralee (Eire), mechanic, and Fr Martin Thomas (45) born at Sidcup, Superior, both shot at Musami (Zimbabwe).
February 6, 1977 Fr Christopher Shepherd-Smith (34) born in Tanzania, missionary, shot at Musami (Zimbabwe).
March 12. 1977 Fr Rutilio Grande (45) born at El Paisnal (El Salvador), parish priests, killed by machine-gun fire at El Paisnal (El Salvador). January 15, 1978 Fr Desmond Donovan (41) born at Leeds, teacher, beaten and bayoneted outside Makumbi (Zimbabwe).
June 27, 1978 Bro Bernard Lisson (69) born at Bowallno Kreis Oppeln (Germany), mechanic, shot at Magondi (Zimbabwe).
June 27, 1978 Fr Gregor Richert (48) born at Tannsee (Germany), parish priest, shot at Magondi (Zimbabwe).
July 14, 1978 Fr Bernard Darke (53) born in London, photographer, stabbed in Georgetown (Guyana). December 26. 1978 Fr Gerhard Pieper (38) born in Berlin, biologist, shot at Kangaire (Zimbabwe).
February 2-4, 1979
Fr Francis Martinsek (67) born in Export (Pennsylvania), chaplain, killed at Mokame (India).
March 7, 1980 Fr Mathew Mannaparambil (42) born at Arakulam (Kerala, India), parish priest, killed at Burham (Bihar, India).
March 22, 1980 Fr Luis Espinal (48) born at Manresa (Spain), journalist, tortured and killed by machinegun fire at La Paz (Bolivia). April 13. 1981 Fr Godofredo Alingal (59) born at Dapitan. Zamboanga (Philippines).
August 2, 1981 Fr Carlos Perez Alonso (45) born at Briviesca (Spain), chaplain, 'disappeared' in Guatemala.
December 28. 1983 Fr Francis Xavier Chu (70) born in Shanghai, died in a labour camp in China.
March 4, 1985 Fr Klaus Kluiters (45) born in Netherlands, parish priest, kidnapped and killed in Lebanon.
Of those nineteen Jesuits. eight of them sacrificed their lives in Zimbabwe and Guyana, missions dependent on the British Province. Five of them were members of the British Province.
We commend all our overseas missions and the many Jesuits working in them to a remembrance in your prayers and Masses.
May the Lord in His Love let their sacrifice in His service draw others to continue the service of faith and promotion of justice.
from Jesuits and Friends, issue No. 2. Published by: Jesuit Missions, 11 Edge Hill, London SW19 4LR.