Rise in contract murders concerns top prelate

Santo Domingo.- Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez on Sunday said he’s concerned with the rise in contract murders, noting that killing people for pay has never been this country’s tradition. "I deeply regret this and I’m ashamed as a Dominican that this is happening. Killing for pay? That had never been seen here."

He said he expects the situation to be corrected as soon as possible, but noted that another issue of concern is the influence of people who come from abroad, who in his view disturb the surroundings even more.

"Here the Dominican tradition is not accustomed to that; of killing people for pay. Pay to kill, that had never been seen here in Dominican history,” said the prelate, adding that the phenomenon needs to be studied to determine its root cause.