# Papal Nuncio Michael Courtney Killed (2003)

URL: https://allhistories.com/burundi/timeline/2003-papal-nuncio-michael-courtney-killed
Location: Bururi, Burundi
Themes: main-event

Michael Aidan Courtney, born in 1945 in Nenagh, Ireland, had entered the Holy See's diplomatic service in 1980 and was named apostolic nuncio to Burundi in 2000. He was active in efforts to promote dialogue between the transitional government and the rebel groups, including contacts with the FNL, which was still fighting. On 29 December 2003 Courtney was returning to Bujumbura from a funeral when his clearly marked car was fired upon near Minago, in Bururi province south of the capital. He was hit by several bullets and died in hospital in Bujumbura after surgery. The army quickly accused the FNL, which denied responsibility and blamed the army, and the identity of the attackers was never established; some accounts suggest the killing was not directly linked to the war. Courtney was reportedly the first papal nuncio to die through violence in centuries, and his death was condemned by Pope John Paul II and the international community. It came only weeks after the Global Ceasefire Agreement and was a reminder that insecurity continued, especially around Bujumbura, where the FNL remained active. At this point in the timeline (29 December 2003), the President of Burundi was Domitien Ndayizeye (30 April 2003 – 26 August 2005).

## Why it matters
The killing of the Vatican's envoy drew international attention to the continuing violence in Burundi after the ceasefire.

Ruler at the Time: [Domitien Ndayizeye](https://allhistories.com/burundi/rulers/domitien-ndayizeye)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Michael Courtney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Courtney)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Burundi Catholic Church](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Burundi+Catholic+Church)
- [Wikipedia — Apostolic Nunciature to Burundi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_Burundi)
- [BBC News — Burundi country profile](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13085064)
- [Wikipedia — Democracy and Civil War (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundian_Civil_War)