Tragic End for African Bishop Balla

Winchester, VA – Last week Bishop Jean-Marie Benoit Balla, the 58 year old Catholic Bishop of Bafia in Cameroon, went missing. His car was located near the Sanaha River on Wednesday. Inside the car was a note that said, “Do not look for me! I am in the water,” sparking suspicion of suicide. There were no signs of struggle at the scene, and the Cameroonian Bishop’s Conference publicly called for prayers. Catholic News Agency reports that Bishop’s body was located under the bridge on Thursday. The investigation into his death is continuing, and murder has not been ruled out as other priests have been murdered in the region and Boko Haram has been implicated in the kidnapping of priests and nuns in the area. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.