Scottish Catholic Observer

Agenzia Fides said 18 of those killed were priests, one was a permanent deacon, two were religious men, two were nuns and six were laypeople.

After eight consecutive years in which the highest number of missionaries killed was recorded in America.

Since 2018 it is Africa that has taken the first place in this tragic category. In Africa in 2019, 12 priests were killed, one religious man, one religious woman, and one laywoman (a total of 15).

In America, six priests were killed, one permanent deacon, one religious man, and four laypeople (a total of 12). In Asia, one laywoman was killed. In Europe, one nun was killed.

The agency warned of a ‘globalisation’ of violence, stating that, in the past, deaths were concentrated in one or two places rather than throughout the world.