A day after he baptized 175 people, a 36-year-old Catholic priest was killed by gunmen in the Central African Republic.  

Father Crépin Martial Monga, vicar of St. John the Baptist Parish in Zémio, in the Diocese of Bangassou, was shot in the head at around 6:40 p.m. on June 29 as he drove to his parish residence. A parishioner who was with him was seriously wounded and remains in critical condition. 

At the time of this post, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities have not named any suspects, but the investigation is ongoing. 

The day before the attack, Father Monga baptized 175 believers — 160 of whom were Christians from his parish who had been recently displaced because of ongoing violence.  

In his final pastoral act, Monga spent the hours before his death with those he baptized along the banks of the Mbomou River.  

Father Monga was active in regional peacebuilding efforts. He served on the Local Committee for Peace and Reconciliation, helping to promote dialogue, social cohesion, and reconciliation among those affected by violence.  

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