Vatican City: Seventeen Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers lost their lives in violent incidents across the world in twenty twenty five, according to data released by the Vatican missionary news service Fides News Agency. The figures show that Africa remained the most dangerous continent for missionary service, accounting for ten of the reported deaths.
The report says that the victims include priests, religious sisters, seminarians, catechists, and lay pastoral workers who were serving local communities at the time of their deaths. Many of them were killed in situations linked to insecurity, armed conflict, or criminal violence rather than direct persecution alone.
Africa recorded the highest number of casualties, with Nigeria emerging as the worst affected country. Several missionaries were killed there amid ongoing violence involving armed groups, kidnappings, and attacks on rural communities. Other African nations mentioned in the report include Burkina Faso, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
Outside Africa, four missionaries were killed in the Americas, while two deaths were reported in Asia and one in Europe. The incidents occurred in countries facing social unrest, gang violence, or political instability, highlighting the risks faced by those working closely with vulnerable populations.
Fides noted that the term missionary is used in a broad sense, covering not only clergy and religious but also lay people who dedicate their lives to church service. Many of those killed were local citizens serving in their own countries rather than foreign missionaries.
The total number of deaths in twenty twenty five marks an increase compared to the previous year. Since the year two thousand, hundreds of missionaries and pastoral workers have been killed worldwide, with Africa consistently recording the highest toll.
Church officials say the figures are a reminder of the quiet and often unnoticed sacrifices made by missionaries who continue to serve communities affected by poverty, conflict, and fear. They have once again called for prayers for peace, protection for those working on the front lines, and greater attention to the root causes of violence in many regions of the world.