Middle East - Africa News

Kaduna State in northern Nigeria.

Attack on Christians in Nigeria described as a ‘massacre’

Sep 30, 2021

By CNA Staff

An estimated 49 people were killed in a two-hour long attack. Read more

Fr. Benson Bulus Luka was kidnapped from his parish residence in Nigeria’s Kafanchan diocese on Sept. 13, 2021.

Catholic diocese rejoices as priest is freed barely 24 hours after kidnapping

Sep 16, 2021

By CNA Staff

“Barely 24 hours after his kidnap, our beloved brother priest was released by his abductors.” Read more

Father Benson Bulus Luka was kidnapped from his parish residence in Nigeria’s Kafanchan Diocese on Sept. 13, 2021.Kafanchan Diocese

Urgent prayers needed for kidnapped Nigerian priest

Sep 14, 2021

By Jude Atemanke

Prayers are being sought for the quick and safe release of a Catholic priest, Father Benson Bulus Luka, kidnapped from... Read more

Taliban fighters gather along a street during a rally in Kabul on August 31, 2021 as they celebrate after the U.S. pulled all its troops out of the country to end a brutal 20-year war.

PODCAST: An Afghan Christian’s plea: “You are my last hope”

Sep 14, 2021

By Kate Olivera, Jonah McKeown

A young Christian, desperate to flee Afghanistan, exchanges frantic messages with two CNA employees, pleading for help as the Taliban... Read more

Freed: Msgr. Julius Agbortoko Abbor, vicar general of Cameroon’s Mamfe diocese.

Catholic priest in Cameroon freed after three days in captivity

Sep 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

Msgr. Julius Agbortoko Abbor was released without payment of a ransom. Read more

French President Emmanuel Macron tours Our Lady of the Hour Church in Mosul, Iraq, Aug. 29, 2021.

French president visits Catholic church in Iraq damaged by ISIS

Aug 31, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Emmanuel Macron toured Our Lady of the Hour Church in Mosul. Read more

CNA

Catholic priest in Cameroon reportedly kidnapped by separatists

Aug 31, 2021

By CNA Staff

Msgr. Julius Agbortoko was seized on Aug. 29. Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Chaldean Patriarchate drops ‘Babylon’ from official title

Aug 26, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Synod of the Chaldean Catholic Church backed the change unanimously. Read more

Christian Afghan refugees leaving Kabul

Desperate Afghan Christians turned away at airport, aid groups say

Looming over the deepening humanitarian crisis is a deadline of Friday for civilian evacuation operations at the Kabul airport to... Read more

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Vandals steal cross from altar of Catholic church in the Holy Land

Aug 23, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The cross had been embedded in an outdoor altar made of volcanic basalt rock that was used for Catholic Masses... Read more

Sr. Mary Daniel Abud (L) and Sr. Regina Roba (R) were killed in an ambush by armed gunmen in South Sudan on Aug. 16, 2021.

Pope Francis saddened by ‘brutal attack’ which killed Catholic nuns in South Sudan

Aug 18, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Sr. Mary Daniel Abud and Sr. Regina Roba were killed by armed gunmen along a highway in South Sudan on... Read more

Children and teachers outside the free day center run by Catholic sisters of the association For the Children of Kabul in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Charity run by Catholic nuns asks for prayers for Afghanistan

Aug 17, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pray so that "the poor and tortured Afghan people will soon be able to have a future of peace." Read more

Early morning in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Catholic charity concerned for safety of Christians in Afghanistan

Aug 16, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

"The instability of the situation will lead to the suspension of all activities," Caritas Italiana said Sunday. Read more

Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, at the Vatican March 5, 2013.

Maronite patriarch threatened by Hezbollah supporters after calling for Lebanese neutrality in region

Aug 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The leader of the Maronite Catholic Church received threats from Hezbollah supporters this week after calling for an end to... Read more

Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez

Prayers asked for nun kidnapped in Mali in 2017

Aug 11, 2021

By Walter Sánchez Silva

An initiative that works to highlight persecution of Christians released Friday a video seeking prayers for Sister Gloria Cecilia Nárvaez... Read more

Members of the standing committee of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO).

Catholic bishops in DR Congo ‘strongly condemn’ attacks on Church

Aug 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

Incidents include the storming of Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo’s residence. Read more

The flag of Nigeria on a soldier’s arm.

Report: 17 Christians killed every day in Nigeria in first half of 2021

Jul 31, 2021

By CNA Staff

More than 3,000 Christians were murdered in 2021’s first 200 days. Read more

St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu, Nigeria was vandalized Nov 4, 2013.

Sympathizers in Nigeria's high-ranking positions stall fight against militants, priest says

Jul 23, 2021

By ACI Africa

Boko Haram sympathizers and others who support Nigeria being an Islamic State are stalling the fight against militants in the... Read more

CNA

Ethiopian bishops call for ceasefire in Tigray crisis

Jul 22, 2021

By Magdalene Kahiu

As the war over control of Ethiopia's Tigray region expands into neighboring regions, the country's bishops on Saturday urged an... Read more

Nigerian Christians displaced from their homes by Boko Haram attacks. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Maiduguri.

Nigerian seminarian calls for 'prayer backed up with action' to counter violence

Jul 19, 2021

By Katie Yoder

Religious persecution is rampant in Nigeria, where militant groups such as Boko Haram carry out abductions that appear to target... Read more