Mali, a country in West Africa, is home to about 20 million people. Despite its rich cultural history, it faces severe socio-economic challenges. In 2023, 42.3% of Mali’s population lived in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.90 per day. The nation has also been embroiled in conflict, with jihadist groups controlling significant areas since 2012.
Father Hans Joachim Lohre, a German missionary, spent 26 years evangelizing in this land until he was captured by jihadist terrorists in November 2022. He spent a year in captivity until he was forced out of Mali and told to never return.
Known by his friends as Father Ha-Jo, he has been a Missionary of Africa, also known as a White Father, since 1981. “I’ve spent 26 years in Mali, working 11 years in parishes where Christians are a tiny minority,” he explains. “Our main work was accompanying these small Christian communities, sometimes only two or three families. We organized numerous training sessions for catechists and laypeople.”
Father Ha-Jo’s mission extended beyond parish work. He spent five years in Burkina Faso helping young people discern their vocation. He later served as chaplain at the Catholic University in Mali, where 80% of the students were Muslim. “Many Muslim youths came to me with their problems. They would say, ‘Father, I’ve never told anyone this before.’ I was very happy in this role, providing moral education to both Muslims and Christians.”
A girl smiles in her classroom at Diarrabougou School in Mali. The students will receive a free school lunch each day through Catholic Relief Services’ Jigiya program, also known as Food for Education. The bishops of five West African nations committed to a renewed effort to seek peace in the Sahel region as growing violence has disrupted daily life and uprooted entire communities. (CNS photo/Michael Stulman, CRS) See SAHEL-BISHOPS-CRISIS Nov. 20, 2019.
Despite the challenges, Father Ha-Jo speaks fondly of the harmonious relationships between Christians and Muslims in Mali. “In daily life, we live in symbiosis and harmony. It’s important to understand that West African Islam is marked by brotherhoods that seek a personal relationship with God, much like Christian orders in Europe.”
However, the rise of fundamentalist movements over the past 20–30 years has strained these relations. “In 2012, jihadists took over two-thirds of the country,” he notes, marking a significant shift in the religious landscape.
On November 20, 2022, Father Ha-Jo was kidnapped while on his way to celebrate Mass in Bamako. “As I was getting into my car, another car came quickly behind mine. Three men jumped out. One said, ‘Father, you’re under arrest.’ I replied, ‘No, I need to go say Mass.’ But they forced me into their car, handcuffed me, and put a hood over my head.”
Realizing he was in the hands of jihadists, Father Ha-Jo remained calm. “Since 2012, we’ve known the risk of kidnapping. I thought, ‘Okay, it’s a jihadist kidnapping. I know they treat people well.’ I decided to see this as my sabbatical year, a time to deepen my relationship with God.”
Despite the circumstances, Father Ha-Jo found solace in his faith. “I spent four to five hours a day praying. I celebrated Mass using bread they brought me. I couldn’t hate my captors; I prayed for them. They are not bad people, just misguided. They want a society based on God’s laws as they interpret them in the Quran.”
Throughout his captivity, Father Ha-Jo felt the support of prayers from around the world. “I knew my family, friends, and the global Christian community were praying for me. That gave me peace and even joy. I prayed for them to feel the same peace.”
After a year, Father Ha-Jo was freed, a remarkably short time compared to other hostages. “I was treated well. There were no bad words or actions against me. When I was freed, my captors asked for forgiveness if they had done anything I disliked. I forgave them wholeheartedly.”
Unable to return to Mali due to safety concerns, Father Ha-Jo continues his mission of interfaith dialogue in Europe. “I’ll likely join the Missionaries of Africa community in Marseille, working on Christian-Muslim dialogue. It’s crucial because there can’t be peace among nations without peace among religions.”
Father Ha-Jo’s experience underscores the power of faith and forgiveness. “Our Christian faith is real. Trust in Jesus’ words: ‘I am with you always.’ In difficult situations, ask what God is asking of you and live it with Him.”
Father Hans Joachim Lohre’s story is a profound testament to the resilience of faith, the power of prayer, and the importance of interfaith dialogue in the quest for peace. “My mission now is to pray for interreligious dialogue, for the leaders of Al-Qaeda, and for peace,” he reflects. “These young men are trying to live up to what they believe is God’s word. As Christians, we should have the same zeal to live and spread the Gospel, but doing it with the Bible in our hands, not weapons.”
