The brutal killing of a parish priest in Sierra Leone has been described as “a dark and painful moment for us as Church and people”. Source: Crux.
Kenema Diocese priest Fr Augustine Amadu was killed on the night of August 29.
He was due to take up fresh responsibilities at the St John’s Parish, Kailahun, after five years of ministry at the Immaculate Conception Church, Kenema. He had planned to celebrate a farewell mass just hours before he was murdered.
According to police reports and preliminary investigations, armed assailants believed to be robbers broke into his residence by forcing their way through the window.
“He was fatally stabbed, and his body was discovered early the following morning by parishioners who came for morning Mass,” Andrew Batilo Francis, editorial chief for the Kenema Diocese’s Media and Communications Team, said.
“It was a shocking discovery, especially because he was preparing for his farewell Mass the coming Sunday, ahead of his new pastoral assignment in Kailahun,” he added.
The executive director of Caritas Freetown and president of the Sierra Leone Priests’ Association, Fr Peter Konteh, condemned “this evil and shameful act” and prayed that “the Lord will grant wisdom, courage and speed to those investigating this case, so that justice may be done”.
Mr Batilo noted that violent crime has been on the rise in Kenema and surrounding areas, but admitted that it was the first time in Sierra Leone that a Catholic priest “has been attacked and killed in such a brutal manner”.
“It has shaken the nation’s conscience and raised questions about the growing threat of insecurity. Many see this not just as an isolated case, but as a tragic reflection of a broader decline in safety and law and order in the region,” he said.
Mr Batilo said Fr Augustine will be remembered as a humble, approachable, and deeply spiritual priest.
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Murder of priest in in Sierra Leone a ‘dark moment’ (By Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux)
