Missionaries who laid down their lives in 2024

Thirteen Catholic missionaries were killed in their work in 2024, including eight priests and five laypeople. An annual study published by Fides finds that, since 2000, more than 600 missionaries and pastoral workers have been killed worldwide. Africa and South America remain the most dangerous mission territories. As we pray for all missionaries who bravely share the light of the Gospel around the world, we reflect on the stories of some of those who laid down their lives in 2024. 

Juan Antonio López

Honduras – López was a Catholic human rights and environmental activist. A husband and father of two, he was killed by a hitman on September 14, after attending Mass. He had been working to close an iron oxide mine that is said to be contaminating a local water supply. 

“I join in the grief of that church and condemn every form of violence,” Pope Francis said of López’s murder. “I am close to all those who see their fundamental rights violated and to those who work for the common good in response to the cry of the poor and the earth.”

“I am close to all those who see their fundamental rights violated and to those who work for the common good in response to the cry of the poor and the earth.”

Pope Francis

François Kabore

Burkina Faso – Kabore was a volunteer catechist in Essakane, an area where most Christians have fled from terrorism and escalating violence. In February, he was attacked and killed while leading a prayer service for a community without a priest. 

Edouard Zoetyenga Yougbare

Burkina Faso – In April, catechist Edouard Zoetyenga Yougbare was kidnapped and killed near Saatenga. A married father of eight, he was found with his throat slit and his hands tied behind his back. He is believed to have been tortured.

Another catechist, Jean Marie Yougbare, was kidnapped by the same group. He was eventually released after his attackers recognized him – he had once welcomed them into his home during a thunderstorm.

Edmond Bahati Monja

Congo – As the coordinator of Radio Maria/Goma, Bahati had been investigating armed militias in eastern Congo. He was murdered in September- shot near his home after being followed by three assassins. He is one of at least a dozen journalists killed in that area in the past two years. 

Father Marcelo Pérez

Mexico – Father Pérez had worked tirelessly to promote human dignity and end drug trafficking in Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas. He was shot by men on motorbikes while he was returning to his parish after celebrating Mass nearby. He had been receiving death threats for his work with victims of violence.

Source: https://fides.org/