Middle East - Africa News

Daughters of the Resurrection walking in Bukavu,  eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Catholic nun abducted on way to the market in DR Congo set free

Jul 17, 2021

By CNA Staff

The nun is “traumatized but physically unharmed.” Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto addresses a dinner of ADF International, "The Crisis of Religious Freedom in Nigeria," at the 2021 International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.

'I believe in the Resurrection': Nigerian bishop keeps hope amid rampant violence

Jul 15, 2021

By Matt Hadro

As some warn that anti-Christian violence in Nigeria is reaching the level of genocide, the bishop of the Diocese of... Read more

South African flag, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Southern African bishops call for an end to violence and looting

Jul 15, 2021

By Courtney Mares

At least 72 people have died amid rioting. Read more

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30, 2021, in Nigeria’s Maiduguri diocese.

Catholic priest in Nigeria who escaped nine-day captivity 'responding well to medication'

Jul 13, 2021

By Evans Kipkura

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada, a priest of the Diocese of Maiduguri who was abducted June 30 and held for nine... Read more

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya (1939-2021).

Cardinal who spearheaded democratic process in DR Congo dies at age 81

Jul 12, 2021

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya died on July 11. Read more

Christian refugees iving in an abandoned mall in Lebanon.

Christian refugees in Lebanon live in abandoned mall amid economic crisis

Jul 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

An NGO has documented the harsh living conditions. Read more

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pictured in Abu Dhabi on May 13, 2008.

Vatican foundation honors Abu Dhabi crown prince with ‘Man of Humanity’ award

Jul 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi traveled to the UAE to present the award. Read more

Sudanese Church of Christ after apparent razing and looting in Um Bartumbu, South Kordofan, Sudan, June 16, 2012.

Advocate for Christians attacked in Sudan

Jul 7, 2021

By Agnes Aineah

Boutros Badawi, a Christian activist and advisor to Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs, was attacked recently in the Sudanese capital. Read more

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30, 2021, in Nigeria’s Maiduguri diocese.

Suspected members of Boko Haram kidnap Catholic priest in Nigeria

Jul 7, 2021

By CNA Staff

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30. Read more

An anti-Christian slogan graffitied on a Coptic church in Egypt.

Christians' situation in Egypt improves, though many still consider them 'second-class citizens'

Jul 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

While the situation of Christians has improved in Egypt under its current president, many continue to regard the minority as... Read more

Santa Cruz Chapel on Murdjajou mount in Oran, Algeria.

Religious freedom advocates warn that church closures are ‘wrong direction’ for Algeria

Jun 30, 2021

By ACI Africa

The closure of several Christian churches in Algeria, as well as court convictions of Christians for undermining Muslim beliefs, are... Read more

Aftermath of the explosion inside Emmanuel-Butsili Parish in Beni, DRC on June 27, 2021.

Bomb in Catholic church in Democratic Republic of Congo 'seriously injures' two parishioners

Jun 28, 2021

By Jude Atemanke, Evans Kipkura

The early morning explosion at Emmanuel-Butsili Parish in the town of Beni was caused by a homemade bomb that had... Read more

A painting of the Holy Family at the Church of St. Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon.

Beirut’s St. Joseph church, badly damaged in port explosion, to reopen

Jun 24, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The church has been restored with funds from Aid to the Church in Need. Read more

People wait outside a distribution point to receive aid rations in Oromia Region, Ethiopia, in February 2018

Catholic charity: Ethiopians in agony as water crisis deepens

Jun 24, 2021

By Agnes Aineah

Residents of various parts of Ethiopia are trekking for miles and spending days in long queues to get water far... Read more

The flag of Mali.

Kidnappers free Catholic priest and four others in Mali

Jun 24, 2021

By CNA Staff

Gunmen released Fr. Léon Douyon 72 hours after seizing him. Read more

The flag of Mali.

Catholic priest among five people kidnapped in Mali

Jun 23, 2021

By CNA Staff

Fr. Léon Douyon was abducted by gunmen on June 21. Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021.

Catholic bishops to consecrate Middle East to the Holy Family

Jun 16, 2021

By CNA Staff

The act of consecration will take place June 27 in Nazareth’s Basilica of the Annunciation. Read more

Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero.

Morocco’s cardinal: Christians should be a ‘sacrament of encounter’ for Muslim neighbors

Jun 4, 2021

Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero of Rabat has launched a diocesan synod. Read more

Fr. Joe Keke, 75, who was released after spending two weeks in captivity, June 3, 2021. Credit: Fr. Chris Omotosho.

Priest abducted in Nigeria released

Jun 3, 2021

By Evans Kipkura

Fr. Joe Keke, who was kidnapped along with slain Fr. Alphonsus Bello when a parish of the Diocese of Sokoto... Read more

Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso of Nigeria’s Kaduna archdiocese.

Nigerian archbishop prays for killers’ conversion at burial of murdered Catholic priest

Jun 3, 2021

By CNA Staff

Fr. Alphonsus Bello was found dead May 21 after his parish was attacked by armed bandits. Read more