NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Vatican Radio today charged that five military officers were responsible for the April 26 murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera at his home in Guatemala City.

      Citing evidence uncovered by human-rights groups in Guatemala, the Vatican Radio report said that the assassination was triggered by the publication of a report by Bishop Gerardi, detailing human-rights abuses by the military.

      The government of Guatemala has made several arrests in connection with the killing, but produced no compelling evidence to explain the crime. The most recent arrest was that of a priest who lived in the rectory with Bishop Gerardi; prosecutors claimed that the priest had ordered his dog to attack the aged bishop. But the bishop's body showed no signs of dog bites, and in fact the dog in question was itself old and feeble. Human-rights groups have complained that the government is dragging its feet in the investigation, in order to avoid confronting the military leaders who may be responsible.