General News of 2026-09-03
How Ghanaian martyr St Matthew Ayariga became the namesake of an American church
Ghanaians have earned international recognition in various fields, from politics and diplomacy to the military, academia, sports and the arts. Over the years, the achievements and contributions of prominent Ghanaians have taken their names and legacies far beyond the country’s borders, earning them a place in the history and institutions of other nations.
Some have been celebrated for their political leadership, others for their military service, intellectual contributions or achievements on the global stage. But among the growing list of Ghanaians whose legacies have received international recognition is one whose story stands out for a different reason: he is being honoured as a Catholic saint and martyr.
St Matthew Ayariga, a Ghanaian-born Catholic lay missionary, is set to have his name immortalised in the United States, where a Catholic church is being named in his honour.
But who was St Matthew Ayariga, and how did a Ghanaian who left home to serve as a missionary in Algeria become a figure whose name is now being given to a church thousands of miles away in America?
About St Matthew Ayariga:
The Ghanaian saint was martyred for his faith by Islamic State militants alongside 20 Coptic Orthodox construction workers on a beach in Libya in February 2015.
The group was brutally beheaded on camera in a horrific display of violence by the extremist group. A video of the killing showed that the men were dressed in identical orange jumpsuits and were led along a beach by black-clad militants before being murdered – many praying as they were martyred.
What makes Matthew's story particularly remarkable is that he was not an Egyptian Copt, but a Black African from Ghana who had been working alongside his Coptic colleagues.
When confronted by his captors and questioned about his faith, Matthew's unwavering response, "Their God is my God," solidified his commitment to Christianity and demonstrated profound solidarity with his fellow captives.
Remembering Matthew Ayariga: The Ghanaian migrant martyred by ISIS for his faith
This extraordinary act of bravery and devotion in the face of death has led to his recognition as a martyr by both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, cementing his place in the annals of modern religious history.
According to [cbcew.org.uk](http://cbcew.org.uk), days after the murders, the martyrs were canonised by Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II. The late Pope Francis followed suit, announcing that the 21 men would “be included in the Roman Martyrology as a sign of the spiritual communion uniting our two Churches”.
Although not much is known about him, St Matthew Ayariga is believed to hail from the northern part of Ghana.
He is also believed to have been born in the late 80s or early 90s. He left his homeland to earn a living as a migrant worker. In 2015, he sought construction work in the Libyan port town of Sirte.
About the parish to be named after him:
The first Catholic parish in the world founded under the patronage of Ghanaian martyr and saint Matthew Ayariga will open in Arlington, Texas, in January 2027.
In a statement dated August 28, 2026, Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth announced the establishment of the new parish, describing it as an important development for the Ghanaian Catholic community in North Texas.
The parish’s creation follows nearly two decades of worship and community building by Ghanaian Catholics in the area. Their journey began in 2007 when members started meeting every week at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Arlington for Mass celebrated in the Twi language.
The congregation gradually expanded through collaboration between the Diocese of Fort Worth and the Archdiocese of Kumasi, which provided priests to minister to the Ghanaian faithful.
As the number of worshippers increased, the need emerged for a dedicated parish that could meet both the spiritual and cultural needs of the growing Ghanaian Catholic population.
The new Saint Matthew Ayariga Parish is expected to serve as a permanent spiritual home for Ghanaian Catholics in North Texas while also providing a space where members can maintain their cultural traditions and strengthen their faith.
BAI
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