German priest freed from captivity in Mali

Father Ha-Jo was aware of the risk of working in Mali, but he persisted, driven by his desire to improve conditions in the country and to remain with his small Christian community.

A German priest who was kidnapped in Mali more than a year ago has finally been freed.

Hans-Joachim Lohre, known affectionately as Father Ha-Jo, disappeared in Bamako, Mali, on November 20, 2022. He had more than 30 years of experience in Mali. His car was found abandoned, and the cross he normally had with him was on the floor.

News of his release began to circulate earlier this week, but his congregation, the Missionaries of Africa, was only able to officially confirm his release on November 29.

“Today, we can officially announce that Father Ha-Jo was indeed released on November 26th, on the Feast of Christ, King of the Universe, and on the anniversary of the death of our founder, Cardinal Charles Lavigerie,” read the statement. “We are overjoyed to know that he is finally free after so many months.”

ACN project partner

Father Hans-Joachim was a project partner of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in Mali. The charity had already expressed its deep regret at the time of his kidnapping and now rejoices in his release.

“We are greatly relieved, and very happy, to hear that Father Ha-Jo has been released after what must have been a grueling ordeal. Over the years, we have worked closely together, and ACN has seen first-hand how he always had the best interests of the people of Mali at heart, regardless of their religion. In fact, he was deeply committed to interreligious dialogue in the majority Muslim country, which he saw as a key to peace and development,” said Regina Lynch, executive president of ACN International. 

“Despite our joy at the moment, however, we must also remember that there are many other men and women who remain in custody or are persecuted for their beliefs around the world, but particularly in Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Burkina Faso, and our prayers and thoughts are with them at this time as well.”

“We continue to follow the situation of Christians with great anguish, particularly in the Sahel region, where every day, Christians are expelled from their villages, starved to death under the pressure of terrorist groups, or simply slaughtered because they still want to wear a cross or pray. In Burkina Faso and in Niger alone, according to the local bishops, more than 100 causes of beatification are underway because of this new wave of persecution, which goes largely unreported in the West,” added Lynch.

An “easy target”

The statement from the Missionaries of Africa-West Africa Province also expresses thanks to all those who contributed to the priest’s release, including the Malian and German authorities, and notes that the local Church in Mali has also shared its satisfaction.

“Father Ha-Jo went directly to his native country, Germany, to be reunited with his family and receive the necessary care. Following all these months in captivity, his health must have been affected,” says the religious order. “We hope that he recovers quickly and that the trauma he suffered does not leave too many after-effects.”

Jihadist activity has sharply increased in Africa over the past few years, as was noted by Father Ha-Jo himself during a visit to Switzerland, at the invitation of ACN, in 2022. “The jihadists come in groups, on motorcycles, and the local communities have to make deals with them. They are forbidden from ringing church bells and drinking alcohol, and women are forced to wear the veil.”

The missionary was aware of the danger he faced in his work. “You don’t know when or where it might happen,” he said at the time. “As white Europeans, we are easy targets, and we have been told that the jihadists are watching us.” But in several interviews with ACN, he also explained why the danger did not keep him from remaining in the country. “The question is given to us in the Gospel: ‘Who do you say I am?’ is the meaning of our lives, and we see that what is important is not how long we live, or how little or how much we achieve, but whether what we do has meaning and can make the world a better place.”

Regina Lynch expressed her hope that Father Hans-Joachim will recover soon and be able to continue his good work soon. “We wish Father Ha-Jo a swift recovery, and we sincerely hope to be able to work further with him, whether in Mali or any other place, as soon as he is fit to return to his mission.”

—Filipe d’Avillez