Louisiana Nun Kidnapped From Mission in Africa

A Marianite nun from the New Orleans area has has been abducted from an African mission where she has served as a missionary since 2014. According to officials with the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, Sister Suellen Tennyson was Marianite Sister Suellen Tennyson has been abducted from her parish in Yalgo, Burkina Faso, a nation in western Africa.

A number of sources report that the kidnappers vandalized the convent where Sister Suellen lived with other nuns. Where she was taken is currently unknown.

According to WVUE in New Orleans, Catholic Bishop Theophile Nare of the Kaya Diocese said the 83 nun was taken in an overnight raid on April 4 and 5 by a number of armed men. "Until the search for her is successful, we remain in communion of prayer for the release of Sr. Suellen Tennyson,” Bishop Nare wrote in an official statement.

In that same report, Marianite Congregational Leader Sister Ann Lacour said, “We first and foremost are praying for Sr. Suellen’s safety and for her release from her captives. Let us pray too for all impacted by the actions of this group, particularly our sisters who witnessed the vandalism and kidnapping. We are in touch with governmental leaders who have pledged to keep us informed as they learn more."

Burkina Faso has had numerous episodes of terrorist-like violence caused by ongoing political unrest. The city of Yalgo is located in the country's Sahel region, an area plagued by numerous armed attacks on civilians by revolutionaries.