(ANS - Rome)- According to information received by Fides, 22 pastoral workers were killed in 2015. They included 13 priests, 4 religious and 5 lay people. "Today as yesterday, the shadows of rejection of life appear, but the light of love that overcomes hatred and inaugurates a new world shines even brighter" said Pope Francis on 26 December, Feast of St Stephen, the first martyr.

"The list of pastoral workers killed in this historic phase of humanity reveals an unprecedented upsurge. It seems to have no equal in history, because it is an ongoing global persecution "says Fr Vito Del Prete, a PIME missionary.

From 2000 to 2015, according to data released recently, 396 pastoral workers were killed worldwide, including 5 bishops. Those killed in each continent in 2015 were as follows:

• America - 8 pastoral workers (7 priests and 1 religious);
• Africa – 5 pastoral workers (3 priests, 1 religious, 1 lay person);
• Asia - 7 pastoral workers (1 priest, 2 religious, 4 lay people);
• Europe - 2 priests.

The list of pastoral workers killed in 2015 includes the two young leaders of the Salesian oratory in Aleppo, brothers Anwar and Misho Samaan, killed together with their mother Minerva in a bomb attack.

In general, both in 2015 and in previous years, most of the pastoral workers, were killed as a result of attempts at robbery or theft, committed with violence. In contexts of moral degradation and economic and cultural poverty, violence and lack of respect for life become almost a way of life. Some were murdered by the very people they were helping.

A further cause for concern is the fate of other pastoral workers who were kidnapped or have disappeared. Some of them have not been heard from for several years.

Published 11/1/2016