St. Thomas Aquinas priest reacts to killings of 2 Mississippi Nuns

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - A local priest, Father Mark Ropel from Saint Thomas Aquinas church on West 4th Street said he was shocked to hear the news of the two Holmes county nuns who were stabbed to death last week.

"Shock. Horror. Two sisters that have dedicated their lives to Christ, serving the poorest of the poor, someone would think that they needed to be murdered? You know, it is shocking" said Father Mark.

Father Mark said both sisters Margaret Held and Paula Merrill were Nurse Practitioners who dedicated their lives helping the less fortunate.

He added, "It makes you wonder what is in a person's heart that would want to do something like that?"

The Catholic community prayed for the sisters during general mass last week. "It is always important to invite Christ into situations that we have no control only He can bring out some good in the midst of tragedy" said Father Mark.

"Only He could do it" added Father Mark.

Officials said bond was denied to Rodney Sanders, 46, the man accused of killing the nuns.