Violence against priests

The Latest

Mystery surrounds death of priest who went missing in UK

Jun 26, 2017

A priest who was reported missing last week from his parish in Edinburgh, Scotland was found dead on a nearby... Read more

Newark auxiliary bishop assaulted during Mass

Jan 29, 2017

What started as a Mass remembering a Latino baseball star and humanitarian quickly took a violent turn as an auxiliary... Read more

Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil.

Salesians in India hold prayer vigil for release of Fr. Tom

Jan 4, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Salesians in the Bangalore province of India held a prayer vigil Jan. 4 for the release of Salesian priest Fr.... Read more

Priest.

Kidnapped Mexican priest found alive with signs of torture

Nov 14, 2016

The Mexican Conference of Bishops issued a statement acknowledging that Fr. José Luis Sánchez Ruiz, who was kidnapped Nov. 11... Read more

Another Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Mexico

Sep 23, 2016

Mexican Cardinal Alberto Suárez Inda is offering prayers for the safety of a priest who was kidnapped in the country... Read more

Priests celebrate Mass at San't Agnese in Agone Catholic Church in Rome on Sept. 14, 2014.

Two priests murdered in Mexico

Sep 20, 2016

One day after they were kidnapped from their parish, Mexican priests Alejo Nabor Jiménez Juárez and José Alfredo Suárez de... Read more

Priest suffers minor injuries after failed suicide bomb, axe attack at Mass

Aug 29, 2016

A priest suffered minor injuries after a man armed with a suicide bomb and an axe attacked at Sunday Mass... Read more

French bishops declare day of fasting after priest's murder

Jul 26, 2016

In response to the murder of Father Jacques Hamel by believed Islamic State sympathizers, the French bishops have designated Friday,... Read more

Gunmen kill Congolese priest who reported on atrocities

Mar 23, 2016

A Congolese Catholic priest who documented human rights abuses in his home country was killed by armed gunmen early Monday... Read more

Fr. Dhiya Aziz, who was liberated by his captors Jan. 4, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.

After second abduction, Franciscan priest freed in Syria

Jan 5, 2016

By Elise Harris

Franciscan priest Fr. Dhiya Aziz, who had been briefly kidnapped by unknown jihadist militants in Syria in July and was... Read more

Franciscan priest abducted in Syria set free by captors

Jul 15, 2015

The organization of Franciscan missionaries serving in the Holy Land announced that Father Dhiya Aziz, who had been kidnapped early... Read more

Mourners gather at Saint Catherine of Siena parish in Phoenix on June 16, 2014.

Arizona community mourns, remembers slain priest

Jun 16, 2014

By Mary Farrow

The 105-degree heat did not deter parishioners and friends of Father Kenneth Walker from packing St. Catherine's in Phoenix to... Read more

Young priest's murder shocks, grieves Arizona community

Jun 12, 2014

A 28-year-old priest was shot and killed, and another critically wounded, at a Catholic church in Phoenix Wednesday night.  Read more

Priest murdered in Nicaragua, report says

Apr 10, 2014

A priest who was counseling a married woman outside his parish rectory April 6 was allegedly killed by her husband,... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience, May 22, 2013.

Pope mourns 'brutal killing' of priest, urges end to violence

Apr 9, 2014

By Elise Harris

In comments made following his general audience address, Pope Francis lamented the killing of a Jesuit priest in Syria, and... Read more

CNA

Colombian community grieves local priest's murder

May 8, 2013

The Bishops’ Conference of Colombia lamented the “atrocious” murder of Father Jose Antonio Valle Bayona, whose body was found in... Read more

CNA

Murdered Guatemalan bishop remembered for peace efforts

Apr 30, 2013

During a Mass to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi’s death, Archbishop Oscar Julio Vian of Guatemala... Read more

CNA

Tanzanian bishops stress peace as murdered priest laid to rest

Feb 22, 2013

The bishops of Tanzania called on the local people to work and pray for peace after the recent murder of... Read more