Fr Rybinski had been seen by the confreres of the community yesterday morning about 10.00. Since he wasn’t at evening prayer or at mass this morning Fr Lawrence Essery, Rector of the Salesian community in Manouba, becoming alarmed and not finding him in his room he contacted the local police. They arrived shortly afterwards and began a search for Fr Rybinski. Tragically his body was found in a store room with his throat cut. He is the second religious to be found dead in this recent period of social unrest.

At 9.30 yesterday morning Fr Rybinski had spoken on the ‘phone to Sr Ewa Siuda, at the Mission Office in Warsaw, and asked her to send a fax confirming that a sum of money had been transferred – transferred in fact in December  – for the releasing of  which the bank was making difficulties.

On 31 January, the feast of Don Bosco, the Salesians in Manouba had found an anonymous letter pushed under the door threatening them with death unless they paid up. Officially the police have not given their opinion about the motive whether of theft or of religious fundamentalism. 

Don Rybinski, only 33 years of age originally from the Warsaw Province in Poland was ordained priest in May 2005. In September 2007 he arrived in Manouba where he became community bursar. 

“Marek was extremely efficient and through his contacts with the Polish Missions Office where he had worked previous to his arrival in Tunisia. He was able to help to finance various projects for the good of the school,” Fr Essery told ANS in a message.

He had been appointed chaplain to the Polish community by the archbishop of Tunisia and had spent a lot of time preparing the youngsters for Confirmation.  

This evening  in the Cathedral Archbishop Maroun Elias Nimeh Lahham of Tunisia will preside at a Mass  for Fr Rybinski.

As soon as he heard the news the Rector Major of the Salesians,  Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva, expressed his consternation and his sorrow.

Published 18/02/2011