Catholic Sisters Choose to Stay in African country Despite Terror Threats

In the face of rising terrorist activity in the West African country of  Benin, a group of Catholic sisters has chosen to remain with the Christian community they serve, a decision marked by deep courage and missionary zeal.

According to a report from The Pillar, the sisters of the Company of the Savior have expressed their firm resolve to stay in Kalalé, a small town in a predominantly Muslim region of Benin, where they run an all-girls boarding school. The community has been present there since 2012, following earlier mission work alongside the Society of African Missions.

Kalalé is located in one of Benin’s poorest and most vulnerable areas. The country, with a literacy rate below 50% and a life expectancy of just 61 years, faces mounting insecurity as terrorist groups expand in the north. More than 70% of Kalalé’s residents are Muslim, and while interreligious coexistence has generally been peaceful, recent months have seen an alarming rise in violence.

The Pillar reported that on July 27, armed extremists from Nigeria attacked a church in a nearby town, kidnapping six people, one of them a Catholic. Despite these dangers, Sr. Mercedes Díez C.S., superior of the Company of the Savior, said the sisters “expressly manifested their desire to remain with the Christians of Kalalé.”

Known for their evangelization work, the sisters baptize and confirm dozens of students, parents, and school staff each year, many from non-Christian backgrounds. Their mission extends beyond education to fostering faith in a place where Christians are a minority.

Security concerns are high. The apostolic nuncio in Benin has advised the sisters to consider leaving temporarily, given their vulnerability as foreign religious. They remain in close contact with the Bishop of N’Dali, who will guide their next steps.

According to Pillar, The Company of the Savior, founded in Spain in 1934 by Venerable María Félix Torres, now serves in several countries, including Spain, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Benin. The congregation is known for attracting young vocations, especially from Madrid and Maracaibo.

Missionary work in Benin has deep roots, dating back to 1860 with the arrival of the Society of African Missions. Today, in the shadow of violence, the sisters’ choice to remain in Kalalé stands as a living testimony of faith, courage, and unwavering solidarity with the people they serve.