Priest in Sierra Leone murdered while preparing for new mission

ACI Africa, Sep 2, 2025 / 13:05 pm (CNA).

A Catholic priest in Sierra Leone’s Diocese of Kenema was murdered Aug. 30 as he was preparing to take on a new assignment in the diocese.

According to the communication department of the Archdiocese of Freetown in Sierra Leone, Father Augustine Amadu, who served at Kenema’s Immaculate Conception Parish, was preparing for his Sunday, Aug. 31 farewell Mass when suspected robbers ended his life.

His next pastoral assignment would have been at St. John Kailahun Parish in the Kenema Diocese.

“We are saddened by the shocking news reaching us this morning (Sunday, Aug. 31) about the demise of Reverend Father Augustine Amadu who was stabbed to death by armed robbers at his parish house in Kenema Diocese,” the message said.

“Father Amadu was wrapping up his final days of his pastoral work at Immaculate Conception Parish, Kenema, preparing for his farewell Mass on Sunday before departing for his new assignment at St. John Parish, Kailahun after five years of devoted service.”

According to the Sierra Leonean Police (SLP), Amadu was attacked at night in the parish house where he lived alone. The authorities said in a statement on Aug. 30 that parishioners at Immaculate Conception Parish raised the alarm about the murder.

“At about 07:43 hours, the SLP received a report from a Catholic parishioner indicating that Rev. Father Amadu had been attacked overnight by unidentified armed men at his parish residence. The parish house, which the late priest occupied alone, was forcibly entered by the assailants through a damaged window,” read the police report.

“At this stage, it is unclear whether any property was taken away by the perpetrators,” the SLP reported, adding that the remains of Father Amadu had been taken for a post-mortem examination.

According to the Sierra Leonean authorities, no suspects had been identified in the priest’s murder as of Aug. 30. The SLP said, however, that a number of parishioners and church authorities who reported for early morning service at the parish were assisting with the investigation.

“The Sierra Leone Police wishes to assure the public, particularly the Catholic community, that a full-scale investigation is underway to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice,” the SLP said.

This article was originally published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa and has been adapted for CNA.