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It was supposed to be a short drive from
home to the studios of Cançao Nova, where Brazilian friar Antônio Moser, 75,
was expected to film a new episode of the television programme which he hosted
since 2013. Just as he was about to arrive, the religious became yet another
victim of an armed attack in Petrópolis, located in the metropolitan area of
Rio de Janeiro. The final episode was set to be dedicate on Our Lady:
“Evangelize of the mission of the Church and the Virgin Mary is the star that
guides men to Christ on the path of humility and faith”.
Two men on a motorcycle shot Moser, who is
a religious of the Friars Minor. According to the investigators, the criminals
fired several times, killing Moser in his car.
In a statement released by the Brazilian
Bishops” Conference, Secretary General, Bishop Leonardo Steiner, Auxiliary of
BrasÃlia, stated that “Fra”Antônio Moser”s life was rich and fruitful”. Bishop
Gregório Paixão Neto of Petrópolis expressed his deep sadness and dismay for
this horrible act, inviting the community of Santa Clara, where Moser was a
parish priest, to pray for him. “He was a good-spirited person”, his colleague
recalled, “a very active person who always succeeded in carrying out many tasks
thanks to his strong willingness to collaborate and to take on responsibilities
with others”.
With a doctorate in moral theology, Antônio
Moser, served as a parish priest, as well as president of the publishing house
Vozes, a lecturer at the Franciscan Theological Institute, and a member of the
Bioethics Commission of the episocpal conference. In Petrópolis, he also was in
charge of a social project called “Holy Land”.
In 2015 the Pope called him to participate in the 14th Ordinary General
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to the family. Last December he
celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priesthood in his hometown, Gaspar. His funeral was celebrated on Thursday, 10
March, in the Cathedral of Petrópolis. He will be buried in the chapel of the Friars
Minor in the city cemetery.
