January 10, 2024 / 09:14 PM
The persecution against Catholic priests and religious around the world worsened in 2023, as reported by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN, for its acronym in English). Nicaragua, Belarus, China and Nigeria top the list of countries where it is most dangerous for consecrated persons to exercise their pastoral ministry.
In total, 132 priests and religious were arrested, kidnapped or murdered last year; a number that exceeded the figure recorded by ACN in 2022, which had been 124 cases.
A total of 14 clerics were murdered in 2023. Seven of the deaths, ACN indicates, occurred in “unclear situations or not directly related to a confirmed incident of persecution.” Among the deceased are a bishop and a priest from the United States; priests from Colombia, Mexico, Nigeria and Burkina Faso; as well as a religious in Cameroon.