22 mission workers died violently in 2015

December 30, 2015

In the course of the year 2015, 22 Catholic pastoral workers have been killed, the Fides news service reports.

The victims of violence include thirteen priests, four women religious, and five lay Church workers. Most died in incidents that were described as robberies or attempted robberies. Some were murdered intentionally, and several were killed by the people they were trying to help.

The Fides report notes that the number of pastoral workers killed has climbed each year—a trend that reflects the danger of work in impoverished areas, as well as the rising tide of anti-Christian violence.

The highest toll of death was in the Americas (North and South, treated as a single continent in Vatican statistics): seven priests and one woman religious killed. In Africa, three priests and one woman religious died; in Asia, one priest, two sisters, and four lay people. In Europe two priests were killed.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Vatican- Pastoral Care Workers Killed in 2015 (Fides)