Father Anton Probst, 68, a Claretian missionary, was found gagged, his hands and feet tied, near his room at the novitiate 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon.
He had taken part in the Christmas Eve Mass, and apparently was attacked by robber when he returned to his room. The assailants fled with objects of little value.
Father Probst was born in 1935 in Messhofen, Germany. He was ordained a priest in 1967. He worked for 24 years in Congo before arriving in Akono 11 years ago. His funeral will be held this Sunday.