INTERNATIONAL: Killed for their Faith

OVER the last quarter of a century, more than 600 Catholic missionaries worldwide were killed, according to a Vatican agency.

Fides, the Pontifical Mission Societies information service, has released figures showing that from 2000 to 2025, 626 missionaries and pastoral workers were killed – including 17 who lost their lives in 2025.

According to Fides’ report, 10 priests, two seminarians, two catechists, two Sisters and one layman lost their lives last year.

This marked an increase in deaths compared to 2024, when 14 were killed.

One of the youngest killed in 2025 was seminarian Emmanuel Alabi, who died following a 10th July raid on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Edo State, central southern Nigeria.

Speaking shortly after the attack – in which a security guard was killed, and three seminarians were abducted – Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that armed men “came in large numbers and it was impossible for the guards to stop them”.

Bishop Dunia was also critical of the authorities. He said: “They assured that they would stay to protect the area. But we haven’t seen any concrete action so far.”

While the other two others taken from the seminary were released, Alabi died in captivity.

In the Fides report Father Jude Sule, chancellor of Auchi Diocese, recounted the circumstances surrounding Alabi’s death.

He said: “According to information provided by the seminarian who has since been released, Emmanuel, who was injured during the attack on the seminary, felt exhausted during the forced march imposed by his kidnappers and was unable to continue the journey with them.

“As a result, he was left at a specific location. When the kidnappers returned the next day to collect him, they found him dead.”

Emmanuel Alabi was one of 10 priests, seminarians, and catechists in Africa whose lives were cut short last year.

Five of the 10 were from Nigeria. Two missionaries died in Burkina Faso, one in Kenya, one in Sierra Leone, and another in Sudan.

Four missionaries gave their lives in the Americas, in the United States, Mexico and Haiti.

Two priests were killed in Asia – including Father Donald Martin, the first Burmese Catholic priest killed in the country’s civil conflict – and one in Europe.

According to the report introduction: “The annual list… does not refer only to missionaries and pastoral workers ‘ad gentes’ in the strict sense, but considers the term ‘missionary’ in a broader context, encompassing all Catholics who were involved in some way in pastoral works and ecclesial activities and who died violently, even if they did not die expressly ‘in hatred of the faith’.”

The report’s authors added: “The news about the lives and circumstances of these individuals’ violent deaths offers a glimpse into everyday life in contexts often marked by violence, misery, and a lack of justice.

“These are often witnesses and missionaries who voluntarily offered their lives to Christ until the very end.”

With thanks to John Burger.