Catholic priest killed in Africa one day after baptizing 175 people

A Catholic priest killed by militants in Africa. Collage: UOJ

In the Central African Republic, militants killed Catholic priest, Father Crépin Martial Monga. The tragedy occurred on the evening of June 29, 2026, when the pastor of the parish of Saint John the Baptist in the town of Zemio was returning to to the rectory., reports EWTN News.

Unknown assailants shot the cleric in the head, killing him on the spot. A female parishioner traveling with him was also hit by a bullet in the neck. She was rushed to the hospital in Zémio, where she remains in intensive care. Medical personnel say her condition is critical and she may require evacuation to a better-equipped facility.

Authorities have not yet identified those responsible for the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility. The circumstances and motives remain unclear as investigations continue.

Just one day before his death, on June 28, Father Crépin baptized 175 people, among whom were 160 refugees from a zone of armed conflict. On the morning of the day he died, he performed his last pastoral act, accompanying the newly baptized to the banks of the Mbomou River.

Bangassou Bishop Aurelio Gazzera paid tribute to the slain priest, highlighting his commitment to peace. “This is a tremendous loss for the local community and for the Diocese of Bangassou,” he said. He noted that the priest had been actively engaged in peacemaking initiatives and reconciliation between warring parties in the violence-stricken region. According to parishioners who knew him, the only "weapons" the deceased ever carried were a Bible and a rosary.

As the UOJ reported, a Roman Catholic priest was killed in Sudan for exposing the theft of medicines intended for the poor.

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