A total of 20 missionaries – including an Irish-born American bishop – died violently in the service of the faith during 2023, according to new figures released from the Vatican.

Eight of the dead were priests, one was a seminarian, one a Benedictine novice, seven laypeople, including women, and two described as “non-religious men”.

The tally, released by Fides, the Vatican-based information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies, represents an increase of two deaths on the previous year.

The most dangerous continent for missionary work in 2023 was Africa, for the fifth year in succession, where nine missionaries were killed, including five priests and the seminarian.