Burkina Faso: Spanish Salesian priest killed, another injured

Father Fernando Fernandez

Source: Fides

A Spanish priest, Father Fernando Fernandez, was stabbed to death, and another injured on Friday evening, 17 May in the Don Bosco centre of Bobo-Dioulasso in Southwest Burkina Faso.

A former cook who worked in the facility for seven years, stabbed Fr Fernanado to death. A second priest of Togolese origin was injured in the incident. Fr Germain Plakoo-Mlapa, director of studies, was immediately transported to the hospital and is out of danger. The killer was immediately arrested by the police.

A police investigation is now underway. Fr Fernández was 60 years old. The Salesians have worked in Bobo-Dioulasso since 1994. They run a centre for street boys and girls, a literacy centre and a professional training centre with more than 300 students.

This incident was the latest in a series of attacks on religious communities in Burkina Faso.

On February 15, another Spanish Salesian, Fr Antonio César Fernández Fernández was killed in a jihadist attack 40 kilometres from the southern border of Burkina Faso. On Sunday, May 12, an armed group killed Don Siméon Yampa and five faithful in the parish of Dablo. A Marian procession in Singa, on 13 May was attacked. Four people were killed and the statue of Our Lady was smashed.