A Colombian pastor was fatally shot in an attempted robbery in the city of Sincelejo on Saturday.
Father Fernando Meza Luna, pastor of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, was severely wounded in the incident and immediately taken to a medical clinic, but he died from his injury, Fides news agency reports. It is unclear where he was when the robbery took place.
His death has prompted parishioners to demand increased security in Sincelejo, where armed violence is common. A local chief of police confirmed that Father Fernando had been robbed two months earlier, when his mobile phone was taken.
The Bishop-emeritus of Sincelejo, Orlando Corrales, has publically mourned the priest's death.
"With pain and sadness at the death of Fr. Fernando, I ask all priests to pray for him and for his family," he said on Sunday.
"I am deeply saddened by his death, and I hope it can be a source of greater unity among priests. Now that we are close to Easter, I invite everyone to raise their voices, asking for respect for life. I express my spiritual closeness in prayer."
A funeral was held in the Cathedral in Sincelejo on Monday evening.
Though the motivation for the robbery and shooting is unknown, Colombia is currently ranked 35th on the World Watch List, which records countries around the world where Christians face persecution.
According to Christian advoacy group Open Doors, believers are often the victims of organised corruption by criminal groups in Colombia. Those who are outspoken about their faith are the most common targets, but numerous Christians have been displaced as a result of hostility from communities which consider them a threat to the preservation of indigenous culture and traditions.
