Priestly vocations are up in Burkina Faso despite Islamic terrorism

ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 27, 2024 / 15:20 pm (CNA).

Despite constant terrorist attacks suffered by Catholics in Burkina Faso from Islamic fundamentalists, vocations to the priesthood have increased in recent years, especially in dioceses located in “danger zones.”

Nearly 40% of seminarians come from these localities, which are the most affected by terrorism and violence.

According to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), just at Sts. Peter and Paul Seminary alone, the number of candidates for the priesthood rose from 254 in the 2019-2020 academic year to 281 in 2024-2025.

Terrorist violence began to wreak havoc in the African country in 2019. Father Guy Moukassa Sanon, the seminary rector, explained that during the holidays not all students can return home. Doing so would mean “mortal danger,” so they are taken in by diocesan centers, by host families, or are simply invited by their classmates to spend the holidays in safer areas.

The rector recalled a third-year philosophy seminarian who ignored warnings and took a route forbidden by the terrorists to visit his father. He never arrived and was never found. His family is convinced that he was murdered. “Other seminarians have had narrow escapes,” Moukassa added.

Despite the tragic cases, the rector emphasized that it has been diligent vocations work that has had a profound impact on the increase in candidates for the priesthood. He pointed out that the simplicity of life in Burkina Faso is ideal for young men to seriously consider consecrating their lives to the service of the Lord and his Church.

Burkina Faso is not secularized like Europe so it is easier to inspire vocations than in a materialistic context, Moukassa said. The growth in vocations has led the seminary to accommodate 22 seminarians outside the main residence halls as well as send another 11 to a seminary in Mali, the rector added.

Stating that the local Church does everything in its power to offer seminarians a high-quality formation, Moukassa shared that “it’s crucial that future priests can give authentic witness to their faith.”

Finally, he emphasized the great value of forming future priests to be apostles of fraternity and unity, especially in a context such as that of Burkina Faso, where before the terrorist attacks, the minority Catholic community had no problem with the majority Muslim population.

“Many seminarians have Muslim parents, and although that may initially have caused disappointment, at the end of the day it wasn’t a problem. However, today if you’re not careful, social cohesion can be threatened,” the rector noted.

“That is why it is crucial to form future priests who promote communion, because the Church, at the service of society, must work for unity,” he explained.

“Often, we only appreciate something when we have lost it. Here, if you ask someone what they wish for [at Christmas], they say peace. May the grace of the child Jesus reach all hearts,” Moukassa concluded.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.