Venezuela: Two Priests Stabbed to Death by Teens

Two Salesian priests have been killed by two teenagers in Venezuela during an alleged robbery.

Father Jesus Plaza, 80, and Brother Luis Sanchez, 84, were stabbed repeatedly at the Don Bosco school in the city of Valencia. A third priest, David Marin, was stabbed in the leg multiple times and is recovering after treatment at a local clinic.

The incident was confirmed by Father Pascual Chavez, superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco, on Twitter:

Police have said the two alleged assailants are aged between 13 and 15. The teenagers also allegedly stole computers, money, mobile phones and liturgical objects from the rectory.

Interior Relations minister Miguel Angel Torres said initial investigations showed no sign of any doors forced.

Father Luciano Stefani, provincial general of the Salesians in Venezuela said "as this tragedy leads our province to mourn, and moves us to seek a reason, let us raise our prayers to the Lord, asking eternal rest for these our brothers."

There is no sign that the incident may be linked to the on-going anti-government protests in the Latin American country.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered the expulsion of three US consular officials, blaming them for inciting unrest in the country.

Accusing the unnamed US officials of infiltrating Venezuela's universities under the pretext of dealing with student visas, Maduro said the US was working with the opposition groups plotting to topple the socialist government.