VATICAN - 25 pastoral care workers killed around the world in 2010

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – As always, at the end of ever year, Fides publishes an annual document of all the pastoral workers who lost their lives in a violent manner over the course of the last 12 months. In addition to the list published on 30 December, and according to information in our possession, during 2010, 25 pastoral care workers were killed: one Bishop, 17 priests, one male religious, one religious sister, two seminarians and three lay people. Analysing the list for each continent, again this year the place most affected, with an extremely elevated number of deaths is AMERICA, bathed with the blood of 17 pastoral care workers: 12 priests, one male religious, one seminarian and three lay people. Following is ASIA, with one Bishop, four priests and one religious sister killed. The least affected was AFRICA, where one priest and one seminarian violently lost their lives. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 7/3/2011)