In the shadow of ongoing terrorist violence, the Catholic Church in Burkina Faso has witnessed a surprising and inspiring trend: a growing number of young men pursuing priestly vocations.
Despite the risks, nearly 40 per cent of seminarians come from the areas most affected by terrorism and violence.
At Sts. Peter and Paul Seminary, one of the country’s main institutions for priestly formation, enrolment has steadily increased, rising from 254 candidates in the 2019-2020 academic year to 281 in 2024-2025, according to the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Rector Father Guy Moukassa Sanon attributes this growth to vocational efforts and the simplicity of life in Burkina Faso, which fosters deep spiritual reflection.
The journey to priesthood in these “danger zones” comes with significant challenges. Father Moukassa recalled a tragic incident involving a third-year philosophy seminarian who defied warnings and took a forbidden route to visit his father. He never arrived and was presumed killed by terrorists.
To ensure their safety during holidays, students from high-risk areas are housed in diocesan centres, with host families, or invited to spend time in safer communities with classmates. The seminary is also adapting to accommodate the increasing number of candidates by housing 22 seminarians outside the main residence halls and sending eleven others to a seminary in Mali.
Father Moukassa sees the growth in vocations as a sign of hope and a reflection of Burkina Faso’s spiritual landscape. Unlike secularised contexts, the country’s deeply religious culture makes it easier for young men to discern a call to serve. “It’s crucial that future priests can give authentic witness to their faith,” he said, highlighting the Church’s commitment to providing high-quality formation.
The rector emphasised the importance of training priests to be apostles of unity in a divided society. Before the rise of terrorism, Catholic and Muslim communities in Burkina Faso coexisted peacefully, and many seminarians came from families with Muslim backgrounds. “Although that may initially have caused disappointment, at the end of the day, it wasn’t a problem,” he said.
However, the current climate of violence poses a threat to social cohesion. “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,” Father Moukassa explained.
Burkina Faso is ranked 20th on Open Doors' Watch List of countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
