Home » News » Breaking News: Catechist kidnapped and killed in Burkina Faso

Breaking News: Catechist kidnapped and killed in Burkina Faso

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deepest concern and sorrow following the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the catechist Edouard Yougbare from the parish of Saatenga in Fada Gourma, Burkina Faso.

The catechist was abducted last night by terrorists and his lifeless body was found near Zigni this morning. According to local sources reporting to the charity more people were kidnapped and killed with him.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Yougbare,” said Maria Lozano, the head of press at ACN. “He served his community faithfully and his death is a devastating blow to the people of Saatenga. Catechists in Burkina Faso are on the frontline, risking their lives for the good of their people. Just two months ago, another catechist was killed in the Diocese of Dori while leading the Sunday morning celebration in a chapel.”

The charity asks for prayers for the families of the victims and all the people of Saatenga, who are deeply affected by these events.

The security situation in Burkina Faso has become drastic over the past few years, with Christians being particularly targeted by terrorist groups inspired by Islamic extremism. The violence in the country can be seen as part of a wider conflict that involves several countries in the Sahel region, including Mali, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

ACN is committed to supporting the Church in Burkina Faso during these difficult times. In 2023, ACN supported 56 projects in Burkina Faso with more than one million euro in funding.

 

By Filipe d’Avillez.

Don't miss the latest updates!

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli…

Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025

Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21…

Papal envoy carries solidarity to the Christians of war-torn Sudan

Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, has…

In the east of Burkina Faso, still many problems as term starts

While the security situation in Burkina Faso has improved slightly,…

From Angola to Vietnam, enthusiasm with “One million children praying the Rosary” campaign

ACN’s yearly campaign, added to the Holy Father’s appeal to…

Church clings to life amid chaos in Gaza

Aid to the Church in Need echoes Pope Leo XIV’s…

List of News

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli envoys and Hamas, the hope for a beginning of peace is cautiously laying roots in the diocese of the Holy...

Fr Hugo Alaniz recounts a night of explosions and fear in Aleppo: “People are very afraid, we don’t know what is going to happen”

In the midst of a new wave of fighting, the Argentine priest describes hours of anguish in Aleppo. His parish has once again become a refuge for dozens of families....

Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025

Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21 at the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome for the worldwide presentation of the latest edition of the Report on...