La Salle Missionary found dead in Peru

By Vatican News

De La Salle Brother Paul McAuley’s was found Tuesday morning by his students at the “La Salle” Intercultural Student Community in the city of Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon. Local authorities have announced an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Brother Paul McAuley was a well-known defender of the environment, and an advocate for the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region. Originally from England, Paul McAuley moved to Peru in 1995 as a missionary. He worked among the poor in the capital Lima, and later in Moyobamba and San José de Amazonas.

Since 2000, Brother Paul McAuley had lived in Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon. He dedicated himself to various development and educational projects, especially among the indigenous populations.

In a statement released by the Episcopal Conference, the Bishops of Peru said they “mourned” the death of Brother Paul McAuley, and expressed their condolences to the Brother Visitor, Jorge Aguilar, the Superior of the Congregation in Peru; and to all the De La Salle Brothers.

In their statement, the Bishops called on the authorities “to clarify the facts and find those responsible” for Brother Paul’s death.