Ouagadougou Cathedral in Burkina Faso / Adobe Stock
CV NEWS FEED // In the West African nation of Burkina Faso, where terrorism poses a severe threat to Christian communities and religious leaders, the number of young men pursuing the priesthood continues to grow.
Despite widespread violence targeting priests, catechists, and other Church leaders, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported that seminaries in the region are experiencing increased enrollment, reflecting a remarkable commitment to faith under challenging circumstances.
The St. Peter and St. Paul Seminary of Kossoghin in Ouagadougou, an interdiocesan philosophy seminary, has seen a steady rise in vocations, according to ACN. Enrollment has grown from 254 students during the 2019-2020 academic year to 281 for 2024-2025. Many of these seminarians come from regions heavily impacted by terrorism, known as “red zones,” where violence has become a daily reality.
For the seminarians, the threat of terrorism often prevents them from returning home for holidays like Christmas. Some diocesan centers and host families provide refuge while others join their peers in safer areas.
Father Guy Moukassa Sanon, rector of the seminary, shared with ACN the story of a seminarian who was abducted while attempting to visit his family in 2022. He is presumed dead.
Fr. Sanon also recounted a narrow escape by another seminarian who fled when armed assailants targeted his family. The terrorists initially came for his father, a catechist, but turned their attention to him when they discovered his vocation. He managed to evade capture by hiding in nearby fields.
The seminary faces significant challenges in accommodating the growing number of students. Space constraints have forced the conversion of community rooms into makeshift living quarters and the relocation of some seminarians to a neighboring seminary in Mali. Despite these obstacles, the commitment to forming strong, faithful priests remains steadfast.
Fr. Sanon noted the importance of fostering unity and promoting social harmony in a nation divided by violence.
“Before terrorism, co-existence between Muslims and Christians was no problem, even in our families, which were often made up of several religions,” he said.
Open Doors confirmed that Burkina Faso, once known for its religious harmony, now ranks at No. 20 on Open Doors World Watch List, undergoing a steep decline in peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians due to the influence of Islamic militants.
“Today, if you’re not careful, social cohesion can be threatened,” Fr. Sanon later explained. “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.”
