Vatican Commission Documents Over 1,500 christian Martyrs Killed Since 2000
VATICAN CITY – A Vatican commission has documented more than 1,500 cases of Christians martyred worldwide since the year 2000, a tally encompassing victims of religiously motivated violence, organized crime, and those targeted for defending environmental and social principles. The grim record includes the 21 coptic Orthodox workers brutally beheaded by Islamic militants in Libya in 2015, a case that drew international condemnation.
The ongoing research, conducted by a study commission within the VaticanS saint-making office, aims to recognize the breadth and diversity of contemporary Christian martyrdom, though it operates independently from the formal process of beatification and canonization. The commission’s work highlights a growing global crisis of persecution faced by Christians, prompting calls for increased awareness and protection of vulnerable communities. While a complete list of names is being withheld due to security concerns, the commission has released a regional breakdown of the documented deaths.
The most notable number of deaths-643-occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, largely attributed to attacks by Islamic militant groups. Asia and Oceania accounted for 357 deaths, including victims of the Easter Sunday 2019 suicide bombings targeting churches in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In the Americas, 304 Christians were killed, many of whom were missionaries and activists working to protect the Amazon rainforest from exploitation. The Middle East and North Africa saw 277 deaths, with a significant number being Christians from non-Catholic denominations. Europe itself recorded 43 deaths, but an additional 110 European citizens-primarily missionary priests and nuns-were killed in othre regions.
“The commission has also documented stories of Christians killed by criminal organizations or [as] their presence and defense of Christian principles was bothersome,” explained Andrea Riccardi, vice president of the commission.
The Vatican’s acknowledgement of thes modern martyrs underscores a commitment to remembering those who have died for their faith and to advocating for religious freedom globally. The study commission’s work is expected to continue, providing a crucial resource for understanding the challenges faced by Christians in an increasingly complex and often opposed world.