Twenty-six priests, nuns and lay Catholics were killed worldwide in 2011, with the highest number of victims in Latin America, according to the Vatican’s news agency Fides.
“Some were victims of the violence they risked their lives to fight against, and this year many were killed in theft or kidnap attempts, or were surprised in their homes by bandits,” Fides said.
During 2011, the number of pastoral care workers killed was one more than the previous year. Eighteen priests, four religious sisters and four lay Catholics were killed in 2010.