Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Freetown (Agenzia Fides) – “We, the Catholic Bishops in Sierra Leone, unequivocally condemn the chain of attacks against the Clergy, Religious and the looting of mission properties in our Dioceses,” reads a statement from the bishops of Sierra Leone following a recent act of violence in which a Sierra Leonean priest was the victim.
On January 27, James Joshua Jamiru was attacked by an individual who had broken into the rectory of the Church of the Assumption of Mary in Pendembu, Upper Bambara. During the attack, the priest, who is the parish priest of the church where he was assaulted, suffered injuries to his hands, head, and both knees. The assailant was subsequently arrested by the police.
In their statement, the bishops express their “deep concern and solidarity in the face of the frequent attacks on our priests and religious, and the looting of mission stations.” The bishops recall that in August another priest was killed following an attack onside his home. This was Augustine Dauda Amadu, parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Kenema, who was killed on the night of August 30 (see Fides, 2/9/2025).
Six people wereaccused of his death. According to police investigations, they broke into the rectory armed with a homemade gun to steal a laptop worth $350 and 5,000 Sierra Leonean Leones in cash.
In the six months since Father Amadu's murder and the wounding of Father Jamiru, the bishops emphasize that there has been an increase in thefts and robberies targeting church facilities and staff. After reaffirming their “unwavering solidarity with the Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful who have been traumatized by armed robberies, invasion of their residences and the systematic looting of mission properties intended for the service of the poor and needy,” the bishops declare that “enough is enough.” The statement concludes with a call for the police to take concrete measures to prevent further acts of violence. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 5/2/2026)
