Dying nun whispered words of forgiveness to killers

Published on 19/09/2006 00:40

THE Catholic nun murdered in Somalia forgave her killers with her dying breath, it emerged yesterday.

Sister Leonella Sgorbati, who was shot on Sunday, in what is believed to have been an attack in response to the Pope's comments on Islam, whispered: "I forgive, I forgive," according to a priest.

The priest, Malaga Wesson, revealed the nun's dying words as he attended her memorial Mass, which was held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

As protests continued around the world yesterday, Scotland Yard revealed it will investigate a demonstration by Muslims outside Westminster Cathedral.

Around 100 people took part in Sunday's protest, which passed off without any arrests, but since then the force has received a number of complaints believed to relate to comments by

Anjem Choudary - the former UK head of radical group al-Muhajiroun.

Tarique Ghaffur, Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner, and the country's most senior Muslim officer, said: "Currently officers are looking at what took place yesterday, and also other publicly made statements, with a view to ascertain if any criminal offences have been committed."

Meanwhile, bishops met in Istanbul yesterday and decided the Pope's visit to Turkey in November should go ahead, despite continued anger after his comments about Islam and holy war, and demands for a full apology.