One Irish nun was killed and another was slightly injured when men armed with blowtorches and machetes attacked mass-goers on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. 72-year-old Sister Theresa Egan, originally from Clonaslee in County Laois was killed in the attack and Sister Mel Kenny from Clonmacnoise was slightly injured.
Sister Theresa who was a member of the St Joseph of Cluny Sisters, had been working in the West Indies for fifty years and had been based in St Lucia for 30 years. She was a former primary school principal and was involved in education on the island. Sister Theresa Egan is survived by three sisters, all of whom are presentation nuns. The St Joseph of Cluny Order said they were shocked and extremely upset at the news.
Sister Theresa was one of three nuns who had been giving out communion at 6 o'clock mass yesterday evening. Four men, armed with blowtorches, kerosene and machetes stormed the church and began attacking people. At least 13 people were injured, including the priest who received severe burns. Police have described the violence as religiously motivated.
One of the attackers was reported to have spoken of Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's late emperor who is worshipped as the manifestation of God by Rastafarians in the Caribbean. St Lucia's Rastafarian leaders have denounced the attack. The island's Government has said yesterday was "a tragic day for St Lucia".
