More than 8 million people joined the Catholic Church in Africa in 2021—making it the continent with the highest number of new Catholics. These numbers were outlined in a report by Agenzia Fides.
But the situation for Christians in some of the African countries is challenging. For example, in Nigeria, there has been a recent string of kidnappings and murders.
In early October, three nuns and a seminarian were abducted along with their driver on the way to a funeral. In another part of the country, three Benedictine monks were kidnapped by an armed gang. Just days ago, two were eventually freed, while one was killed and his body thrown into a river.
Sadly, this is not the first time this year that Christians have been targeted. In January, Pope Francis prayed for a priest who was killed in his parish rectory.
POPE FRANCIS
January 2023
I ask all of you to pray with me for Father Isaac Achi, of the Diocese of Minna, northern Nigeria, who was killed last Sunday in the rectory. How many Christians personally suffer violence: let us pray for them!
Despite the atrocities, Christian leaders continue to encourage the communities to not respond with violence but rather to hold on to hope.
ABP. IGNATIUS AYAU KAIGAMA
Archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria
As a religious leader, I am approached by young people who say: 'Look our Church has been burned, our houses have been destroyed, my brother and sisters have been killed. What is the Church doing? Do something. Give us something. Let's fight.' Then I tell them my mission is that of Jesus Christ, a mission of love.
With the kidnapping of the Benedictine monks, the monsatery relocated the other religious as a safety precaution and continue to pray for their fallen brother.
KG
