According to a report by Fides Agency, the information body of the Pontifical Mission Societies, 13 missionaries and pastoral workers were killed in 2024. The victims included eight priests and five laypeople, all men, who lost their lives while serving in various parts of the world. The report noted that the circumstances of their deaths revealed that they were not killed for carrying out striking works or commitments, but for bearing witness to their faith in their daily lives.
Six of the murders took place in Africa, with two occurring in Burkina Faso. In one incident, a volunteer was killed during an assault by a jihadist group, while in another, a catechist was kidnapped and killed by an armed group. Other African countries where missionaries were killed include Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa.
In the Americas, five missionaries were killed, with Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, and Brazil each reporting one incident. The victims included priests, a social ministry coordinator, and a layperson. Pope Francis denounced one of the murders, which took place in Honduras.
Two missionaries were also killed in Europe, including a Spanish Franciscan friar who died after being beaten in a monastery, and a Polish priest who died after being attacked with an axe in his parish house.
The report noted that in the last 25 years, 608 missionaries and pastoral workers have been killed. Despite the risks, missionaries and pastoral workers continue to serve in various parts of the world, bearing witness to their faith and spreading the message of love and hope.