Rachel Evans
Violence against Catholic missionaries is a persistent issue, with 20 killed worldwide in 2020, 20 in 2023, and 13 in 2024. These figures include priests, religious women and men, seminarians, novices, and laypeople. The most deadly continents for Church workers have been Africa and the Americas. In addition to violent deaths, missionaries also face the risk of death from illness or accident while serving in challenging contexts marked by conflict, poverty, and injustice. The sacrifices of these individuals are recognized by the Church as powerful witnesses to their faith and dedication to their mission.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic missionaries killed in 2020 | 20 |
| Number of Catholic missionaries killed in 2023 | 20 |
| Number of Catholic missionaries killed in 2024 | 13 |
| Number of Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers killed between 2000 and 2024 | 608 |
| Deadliest continent for Church workers in 2020 | Americas and Africa |
| Deadliest continent for Church workers in 2023 | Africa and Americas |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic missionaries killed in 2024
Thirteen Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers were killed worldwide in 2024, according to a report published by Agenzia Fides, the Vatican's missionary news agency, on December 30, 2024. Eight priests and five lay people lost their lives across three continents. Africa and America each recorded five deaths, while two priests were killed in European countries.
In Burkina Faso, where persistent danger from jihadist groups threatens Christian communities, two pastoral workers were murdered. François Kabore, a 55-year-old volunteer, was killed during a prayer in February, and catechist Edouard Zoetyenga Yougbare was found tortured to death in April. South Africa witnessed the murder of two priests by gunfire within weeks. Father William Banda, 37, was shot dead on March 13 while preparing to celebrate Mass at Tzaneen Cathedral. This was followed by the killing of 45-year-old Father Paul Tatu in Pretoria on April 27.
In Spain, 76-year-old Franciscan Father Juan Antonio Llorente died following an assault at his monastery in Gilet. The Democratic Republic of the Congo saw the death of Edmond Bahati Monja, coordinator of Radio Maria/Goma, who was shot near his home amid rising violence from armed groups.
Juan Antonio López, a 46-year-old social pastoral coordinator in Honduras, was killed after denouncing alleged links between municipal officials and organized crime. Pope Francis publicly mourned López during his Angelus address on September 22, saying, "I join in the grief of this local Church and in the condemnation of all forms of violence. I am close to all those who see their basic rights trampled upon, as well as to those who work for the common good."
From 2000 to 2024, a total of 608 missionaries and pastoral workers lost their lives worldwide, according to Fides data. This number represents only verified cases. Pope Francis, speaking on the feast of St. Stephen Protomartyr, recalled the witness of persecuted Christians worldwide. He reflected on Stephen's last words while being stoned to death, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
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Catholic missionaries killed in 2023
According to the Vatican's Fides News Agency, 20 Catholic missionaries were killed worldwide in 2023. This figure includes one bishop, eight priests, two religious men, one seminarian, one novice, and seven laypeople. The number of deaths in 2023 is two more than in 2022.
The majority of these murders took place in Africa, which has been the deadliest continent for Church workers since 2018 (except for 2020). Nine missionaries were killed in Africa in 2023, including two priests, a seminarian, and a Benedictine novice in Nigeria. Africa has seen continued violence from terrorist and bandit groups, with Christian communities being especially targeted in countries like Burkina Faso.
The Americas were the second-deadliest continent for Catholic missionaries in 2023, with six deaths. This includes the murders of two US clergymen: Bishop David O'Connell of Los Angeles and Nebraska parish priest Father Stephen Gutgsell. Two laywomen were also killed in Mexico, and two catechists were killed in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
In Asia, four Catholic laypeople were murdered in 2023. Two Filipino Catholic students, Junrey Barbante and Janine Arenas, were killed in a bombing attack during a Mass at Mindanao State University in Marawi City. The other two murders occurred in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
While the number of Catholic missionaries killed in 2023 is tragic, it is important to note that the figure has fluctuated in previous years. For example, 20 missionaries were killed in 2020, and 13 missionaries were killed in 2024.
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Catholic missionaries killed in 2020
According to the Catholic News Agency, 20 Catholic missionaries were killed worldwide in 2020. The information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies reported that those who lost their lives in service of the Church included eight priests, three religious women, one male religious, two seminarians, and six lay people. The most deadly continents for Church workers were the Americas, where five priests and three lay people were killed, and Africa, where one priest, three female religious, one seminarian, and two lay people gave their lives.
Agenzia Fides, the Vatican-based news agency, releases an annual list of murdered Church workers. It reported that the number of missionaries killed in 2020 was lower than in 2019, when 29 missionaries died. Fides noted that the term "missionary" refers to "all the baptized engaged in the life of the Church who died in a violent way."
Among those killed in 2020 was the Nigerian seminarian Michael Nnadi. The 18-year-old was seized by gunmen from Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna on January 8 and murdered because he "continued to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ" to his kidnappers. Other Church workers who died amid the coronavirus pandemic included at least 400 priests in Europe, according to a partial report by the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Europe.
The Catholic Church has long faced violence and persecution, with missionaries and pastoral workers often finding themselves in dangerous and unstable situations. The Church's presence in impoverished and socially degraded contexts, where state authority is weak or non-existent, further exacerbates the risks faced by its workers. Despite these challenges, the Church remains committed to serving and aiding those in need, even in the most challenging circumstances.
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Catholic missionaries killed in Europe
Violence against Catholic missionaries and workers is not a new phenomenon. From 2000 to 2024, a total of 608 missionaries and pastoral workers were killed worldwide, according to Fides data. These numbers represent only verified cases.
In 2020, twenty Catholic missionaries were killed across the world. The Americas and Africa were the most deadly continents for Church workers.
In 2024, thirteen Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers were killed worldwide. Five pastoral workers were killed in Africa, five in America, and two priests died in violent attacks in Europe.
In Spain, 76-year-old Franciscan Father Juan Antonio Llorente died following an assault at his monastery in Gilet. In South Africa, two priests were murdered by gunfire within weeks of each other. Father William Banda, 37, was shot dead while preparing to celebrate Mass at Tzaneen Cathedral, and Father Paul Tatu, 45, was killed in Pretoria on April 27.
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Catholic missionaries killed in Africa
Violence against Catholic missionaries is, sadly, a common occurrence. From 2000 to 2020, 536 Catholic missionaries were killed worldwide, with Africa and Latin America alternating as the most deadly regions. In 2020, one priest, three female religious, one seminarian, and two lay people were killed in Africa. In 2021, Africa was again the deadliest region for Catholic missionaries, with half of the 22 missionaries killed worldwide perishing in the continent. Seven priests, two religious sisters, and two lay people were killed in Africa that year.
In 2023, nine missionaries were killed in Africa, out of 20 killed worldwide. In 2024, Africa and America each recorded five missionary deaths, with two priests killed in European countries. In Burkina Faso, two pastoral workers were murdered by jihadist groups. In South Africa, two priests were murdered by gunfire within weeks of each other: Father William Banda, 37, was shot dead on March 13 while preparing to celebrate Mass at Tzaneen Cathedral, and Father Paul Tatu, 45, was killed in Pretoria on April 27. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Edmond Bahati Monja, coordinator of Radio Maria/Goma, was shot dead near his home amid rising violence from armed groups.
The Vatican-based news agency Fides releases an annual list of murdered Catholic missionaries, explaining that it uses the term "missionary" to refer to "all the baptized engaged in the life of the Church who died in a violent way." The agency's reports have noted that the number of Catholics in Africa, mostly priests, killed by Islamist radicals, especially in Nigeria, is not fully known. Many Catholics in Africa have been killed by "a group of armed men," without mention of their connection to radical Islamist organizations in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Boko Haram.
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Frequently asked questions
Twenty Catholic missionaries were killed worldwide in 2020.
Twenty Catholic missionaries were killed worldwide in 2023.
Thirteen Catholic missionaries were killed worldwide in 2024.
Since 2000, 608 Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers have been killed worldwide.
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