A well-known Dutch priest was murdered on Monday by a masked gunman while the priest was in his monastery in the Syrian city of Homs.
Though no motive has been determined yet, the Jesuit priest, Father Francis Van Der Lugt, was the latest clergyman to be targeted in Syria, reports The Associated Press. Rev. Ziad Hillal said by all appearances it looks like Van Der Lugt was the target.
By phone, Hillal expressed his sadness, saying, "I am truly shocked. A man of peace has been murdered."
According to The New York Times, despite a truce called that allowed more than 1,500 people to leave the Old City, the 72-year-old priest remained. The Old City district of Homs is currently held by rebels seeking to oust the Syrian president.
Van Der Lugt, or Francis Frans as he was popularly known, had been living in Syria for 50 years and was well-liked. Mahmoud Taha, an anti-government activist, said, "The death of the priest is a scandal for the rebels."
Taha added, "They no longer accept anyone but those who are like them." He believes that the rebels might be steadily becoming radicalized.
Another anti-government activist, Amir Bader, who lives in the Old City, suggested that perhaps the gunman was a fanatic instead since the Syrian exile opposition coalition released a statement saying the priest was protected by the rebels.
Bader said, "Maybe some fanatic shot him or some regime associate did it, so the regime will show all Christians: 'Look what will happen to any of you if you support the revolution like Father Frans.'"