The 'evil' that lurks in Lansdowne

Yesterday I wrote about the murder of 89-year-old Bruna Cossavella in her Lansdowne home.

I was struck by it because I had attended Mass at St. Agnes in West Chester Saturday evening. They had mentioned her passing and the services for her because her son, the Rev. Anthony Cossavella, had been a much-loved priest there.

We tried to talk to Rev. Cossavella yesterday. He had given a short interview to another newspaper on Monday, but he was no up to any more media after officiating at his mother's funeral Mass.

But I received an email from a woman who is a parishioner at St. Agnes who had read my blog yesterday.

Margie Enverso's words speak volumes about the way the people of West Chester felt about Rev. Cossavella and his profound loss.

This is what she wrote:

'Just a note to thank you for remembering the mother of our former priest Father Cossavella at St. Agnes in West Chester.

'He was a devoted son and was at our church for quite a few years before being transferred last year to St. Andrews which was near her home. Everyone in our parish was fond of him; he was always available to those in need and never too busy to help. 'Humble and kind' describes his personality.

'To read with horror the account of his elderly mother's death touched our hearts. The devil really does run rampant in our world today - who can understand why someone would want to hurt a helpless 89-year old? She certainly couldn't have been a physical threat. We hope they are captured and brought to justice. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes at the final judgment knowing the evil they did to two holy people who never harmed anyone in this life.'

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

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