I was saddened to Read about Bonnie Weatherall, she was a Catholic who always wanted to give back on behalf of her faith. She was murdered yesterday in cold blood helping poor Lebanese Christians.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/11/21/lebanon.american.shot/index.html

She always gave time, attention and what little money she had. I know she was often sneered for the cross she wore openly, but she never felt ashamed of her love for Christ.

It's sad that her life was taken by men who had no reason too, except for the unease I sure that they felt due to her conviction in Christ.

It doesn't make sense why it had to happen to her. It doesn't make any sense why the Muslims who took her life could not see that she was of no threat to them.

I didn't know her well except that she was always happy, tried always to attend mass and prayed regularly. I only hope she will have salvation now.

Perhaps she can be seen as a martyr.

-- vivian (johnsonv@catholicgirl.com), November 21, 2002

Answers

Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Probably she was a martyr, Vivian, and very possibly praying for you in heaven already.
"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." God foils satan, bringing good out of evils deeds. For example, many Muslims may become Christians because of this terrible murder and the good example given by the victim.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 21, 2002.

May the Lord crown her with a crown of glory! I'm sure her reward is great -- she will continue her work in heaven, praying for the lost. May the souls of the men who did this to her repent of their great evil. That is what she would want.

Thanks for posting this Vivian. Our prayers go out to her family for comfort and peace!

Love,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), November 21, 2002.

May she rest in peace for eternity!!! Wherever the blood of the Martyrs spilled, Christianity has end up being stronger than ever.

Peace & Prayers

-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), November 22, 2002.

Is there an explanation what these people have gained for their faith. It doesn't make sense that her death could justify anything.

It sickins me that people who try and do good in Christ name must leave behind sorrow in some and vanguish in others.

-- (susan_sargent@sadday.com), November 22, 2002.

My dear Catholic friends,

Thank you for your kind responses to Bonnie's death. You probably need to know, however, that she was, in fact an evangelical protestant missionary, and was working amongst Palestinian muslims in Sidon. WHile I didn't know Bonnie, I know many of her friends, having been there myself in Lebanon on a number of occasions, for missionary work.

She was, indeed, however, a martyr for the faith - she loved Jesus and is now enjoying eternity with him.

Sincerely, Steven

-- Steven Todd (stodd@afmin.com), November 25, 2002.