Middle East - Africa News

People look at the damage caused by flash floods in Derna, eastern Libya, on Sept. 11, 2023.

Floods in Libya reportedly kill up to 10,000; pope ‘deeply saddened,’ offers prayers

Sep 12, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The pope “sends the assurance of his prayers for the souls of the deceased and all who mourn,” said a... Read more

A woman reacts standing in front of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakesh on Sept. 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late Sept. 8 killed more than 1,000 people, the government said on Sept. 9, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night.

Major earthquake in Morocco kills more than 1,000

Sep 9, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis offered the country his “prayerful communion in the face of this natural disaster.” Read more

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on the night of Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Seminarian in Nigeria burned alive in botched kidnapping 

Sep 8, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on Thursday, Sept. 7, and set the rectory... Read more

Bishop John Patrick Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix visited the African nations of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya in August 2023 for a tour of projects connected to the U.S. bishops’ conference’s Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa.

Family life, ‘bonding together’ behind spread of Christianity in Africa, U.S. bishop says

Aug 29, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Bishop John Patrick Dolan of Phoenix returned from a 12-day trip to the African countries of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya... Read more

A map of Nigeria.

Nigerian teen whose Christian conversion triggered death threats granted restraining order

Aug 28, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Following threats by family members, the young woman sought a restraining order against her father and brothers. Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, pictured before his appointment as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Credit: Cristian Gennari/OESSH.

Interview with Jerusalem Patriarch Pizzaballa: Christians face coexistence problems, not persecution

Aug 26, 2023

By Elias Turk

“The overwhelming majority of the Israeli population, more than 90%, has nothing to do with [the attacks on Christians],” Pizzaballa... Read more

Seminarian David Igba during a pastoral visit at Scared Heart Udei of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria.

Seminarian in Nigeria narrowly escapes shooting by Islamist Fulani attackers

Aug 24, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

David Igba was traveling with two others when their car was sprayed with bullets by a group of gun-wielding Fulani... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (middle) and apostolic nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen (left), are received in the Diocese of Rumbek by Bishop Christian Carlassare (right) on Aug. 17, 2023.

‘Fear is driven out by perfect love,’ Vatican secretary of state tells South Sudanese

Aug 21, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

“Jesus Christ dispelled every lingering doubt and distress,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on the last day of his four-day visit... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin addresses returnees and refugees at their camp in the Diocese of Malakal in South Sudan Aug. 15, 2023.

Vatican secretary of state pledges solidarity with refugees, returnees from Sudan

Aug 18, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

“We feel very sorry for … what happened to you in Sudan,” the cardinal said, adding: “We can do something... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin meets with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Aug. 14, 2023, in Juba, South Sudan.

Vatican official urges South Sudanese to remain committed to peace and reconciliation

Aug 16, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

“Embrace the spirit of peace and reconciliation in order to build a harmonious society in the country,” said Cardinal Pietro... Read more

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin receives Cardinal Pietro Parolin upon the cardinal’s arrival in Juba, South Sudan, Aug. 14, 2023.

Vatican secretary of state to meet refugees from Sudan in four-day visit to South Sudan

Aug 15, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived in South Sudan on Monday, Aug. 14, to meet people fleeing violence... Read more

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visits the Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa on Aug. 9, 2023, following attacks by Jewish extremists against the site and other Christian places of worship in Israel.

Israeli president condemns violence against Christians

Aug 11, 2023

By Martin Barillas

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited the Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa following attacks by Jewish extremists against the site. Read more

null

Church prays for release of kidnapped priest and seminarian in Nigeria

Aug 9, 2023

By Diego López Marina

Father Paul Sanogo and seminarian Melkiori Dominick Mahinini were kidnapped early in the morning of Aug. 3 in Niger state. Read more

Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland  Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane (center), General Mohamed Toumba (center-left), and Colonel Ousmane Abarchi (right) are greeted upon their arrival at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey, Niger, on Aug. 6, 2023.

Nigerian bishops discourage military intervention in Niger after coup

Aug 8, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The Economic Community of West African States threatened military intervention if Niger’s military refused to restore democracy within one week. Read more

Duha Sabah Abdullah, the mother of David Abdullah, who was killed when ISIS shelled the Catholic city of Qaraqosh in Aug 6, 2014, meeting Pope Francis in March, 2021 in Iraq.

Remembering the night the ‘city of Christians’ fell to ISIS in Iraq

Aug 6, 2023

By ACI MENA

Aug. 6 marks the ninth anniversary of the fall of Qaraqosh, a city that was almost entirely Catholic and where... Read more

Prayer gathering at Mar Elias Monastery (Stella Maris) in Haifa, Israel.

Israeli extremists attempt to storm Catholic church and monastery

Jul 31, 2023

By Elias Kattar

In an effort by the church to deter any future attacks, work began today to install an iron fence around... Read more

Image from the Shrine of St. Charbel.

The Lebanese saint who unites Christians and Muslims

Jul 24, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

St. Charbel Makhlouf is known in Lebanon for the miraculous healings of those who visit his tomb to seek his... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako

Iraq’s president revokes recognition of Catholic leader 

Jul 17, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, announced Saturday that he is withdrawing from his seat in Baghdad. Read more

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Latin patriarch of Jerusalem condemns Israeli military action

Jul 5, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa condemned the military operation and bemoaned the damage to the Roman Catholic parish in Jenin. Read more

The campaign poster for Father Hyacinth Iormen Alia alluded to his well-known healing ministry.

Suspended priest takes charge of Nigeria’s strife-torn Benue State

Jul 2, 2023

By Douglas Burton

Hyacinth Iormen Alia ignored the admonitions of his bishop by successfully running for governor of Benue State. Read more