Christian persecution

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Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Nigerian Diocese of Makurdi in Benue state at a breakfast at Capitol Hill organized by Aid to the Church in Need, Jan. 30, 2024.

Over 15 Catholic parishes close amid ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria

Nov 8, 2024

By Abah Anthony John

Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe has called for action to address escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Benue state, which has led to... Read more

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi was abducted on Oct. 27, 2024, and regained his freedom after 10 days.

Rector of minor seminary in Nigeria released after 10-day captivity

Nov 7, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi who was abducted Oct.... Read more

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi, was abducted on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, when gunmen attacked the seminary located in Edo State in the country’s embattled central southern region.

Seminary rector kidnapped during evening prayers at Nigerian minor seminary

Oct 29, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Father Thomas Oyode was kidnapped around 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 during evening prayers and Benediction at the seminary. Read more

Smoke billows during air strikes in central Khartoum as the Sudanese army attacks positions held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) throughout the Sudanese capital on Oct. 12, 2024.

Christian foundation decries ‘widespread, systematic’ forceful conversion to Islam in Sudan

Oct 18, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

Christian Solidarity Worldwide condemned the detention of the 12 and the forceful conversion of Christians to Islam in various Sudanese... Read more

Worshippers attend a mass at Ouagadougou's Catholic cathedral on June 12, 2022, in Burkina Faso. The country has been grappling with Islamist terrorism since 2015 and Christian communities live in fear of furhter attacks.

Catholic communities in Burkina Faso ‘constantly living in fear’ 

Sep 5, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Two Catholic priests serving in Burkina Faso have spoken about the threats that terrorist groups pose to Christians in the... Read more

Several mobs attacked Christian communities and set fire to several churches Aug. 16, 2023, in the town of Jaranwala, in Pakistan’s Faisalabad district, after two Christians were accused of defiling the Quran.

Pakistan: One year later, Jaranwala Christians await justice

Aug 16, 2024

By AC Wimmer

One year after the Jaranwala riots, Christian communities in Pakistan still face injustice and persecution under the country’s controversial blasphemy... Read more

Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein of Nigeria's Wukari Diocese and one of the church stewards who lost an eye.

Catholic diocese in Nigeria condemns brutal assault on priest by military

Aug 14, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

The Diocese of Wukari in Nigeria has condemned an attack on All Saints Catholic Church Ikyaior by the Nigerian military... Read more

A reporter from an Israeli news outlet at a press conference hosted by the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue. The Center presented its report called “Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem” on June 4, 2024, at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem.

Interreligous group releases report highlighting harassment of Christians in Holy Land

Jun 11, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

According to the report, there were 90 known attacks in 2023, a notable increase in cases of spitting, physical, and... Read more

Members of the Provincial Episcopal Assembly of Bukavu (ASSEPB).

Democratic Republic of Congo bishops: Amid growth of Church ‘the Congolese state is dead’

Apr 28, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Catholic bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo have denounced the insecurity and violence... Read more

St. Paul's Church, in Imphal, capital of Manipur state, after the church was set on fire in 2023.

Easter holiday is canceled then restored in heavily Christian Indian state

Mar 28, 2024

By Anto Akkara

The March 28 reversal by the Manipur government came within 24 hours after Manipur Gov. Anusuiya Uikey canceled the Easter... Read more

Catholic faithful offer prayers during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Mary's Basilica in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad in India on Feb. 14, 2024.

Incidents of violence and persecution against Christians shoot up in India

Mar 27, 2024

By Anto Akkara

Violence and persecution against minority Christians, who account for only 2.3% of India’s 1.41 billion people, have been on a... Read more

Hong Kong.Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, May 18, 2020.

Hong Kong activist: Proposed law could worsen religious liberty, persecute Catholics

Feb 13, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

If enacted, Article 23 would expand the law to bolster the government’s crackdown on political dissidents, which has been ongoing... Read more

Indian Catholics bishops pray at the closing of the their Feb. 7, 2024, conference.

Indian Church to observe ‘day of prayer and fasting’ amid growing religious polarization

Feb 12, 2024

By Anto Akkara

The Catholic Church in India has called for observing March 22 as a “day of prayer and fasting for peace... Read more

Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province in Nigeria.

Nigeria fast becoming a hostile killing field, Catholic bishops in Ibadan province say

Feb 12, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Following a recent two-day meeting, Catholic Church leaders said in a statement that “all is not well and positive change... Read more

Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Benedictine Basilica of the Dormition in Jerusalem, speaks during an ecumenical prayer service that took place at the Cenacle on Jan. 25, 2024.

Attack on priest in Jerusalem brings intolerance of Christians back into focus

Feb 8, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Harassment of Christians in the Holy Land is not new. “Education is key,” says an expert on Jewish-Christian relations. Read more

The 36th biennial assembly of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), with over 180 bishops in attendance, got underway in Bangalore on Jan. 31, 2024.

Violence against Christians in India addressed at Catholic bishops’ conference

Feb 1, 2024

By Anto Akkara

“The Church can play a crucial role in shaping the moral character of the society,” said Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the... Read more

Turkish police stand guard outside the scene of an armed attack at a Catholic church in Istanbul, Turkey, on Jan. 28, 2024.

Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Catholic church in Istanbul

Jan 29, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Two suspects described as members of the Islamic State group have been arrested following the shooting at Santa Maria Church... Read more

CNA

Nigerian Christians are being martyred — here’s how it’s affecting seminary formation

Jan 26, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

There is an emerging spirituality in Nigerian seminaries and monasteries that many may find difficult to grasp: the spirituality of... Read more

Margaret and Dominic Attah with Lord Alton and other parliamentarians on # RedWednesday 2023.

British Catholic politician demands justice for Christians killed in Nigeria at Christmas

Jan 22, 2024

By ACI Africa

Lord Alton of Liverpool called on the U.K. government to urgently address persecution in Nigeria, starting with last year’s Christmas... Read more

Protest Against Christian Persecution in China, Sept. 14, 2019, Cologne, Germany.

Believing in Jesus can cost you your life in these 50 countries 

Jan 22, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Open Doors just released its 2024 World Persecution List, which reflects a worsening situation for Christians worldwide. Read more