Persecuted Christians

The Latest

Tower Bridge, London

The story behind London’s new Shrine to Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians

Sep 8, 2022

By Madeleine Teahan

What may well be the first shrine in Europe dedicated to persecuted Christians will be blessed today in central London,... Read more

Displaced Nigerians camped near St. Francis Xavier Parish in Agagbe, Nigeria, in 2022.

Catholic parish in Nigeria struggles to feed thousands uprooted by violent attacks

Aug 12, 2022

By Douglas Burton, Masara Kim

From May 1 to June 30, 70 unarmed persons across Benue State in north-central Nigeria were killed in attacks by... Read more

Bishop Jude Arogundade in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2022 outside the Belmont House, where he attended a breakfast social with U.S. congressmen and religious freedom advocates.

Nigerian bishop, a former New Yorker, calls church massacre ‘my own Sept. 11th’

Jul 6, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

Bishop Jude Arogundade wants the world to know that a genocide against Christians is happening in Nigeria. Read more

Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo preaches the homily at the funeral of the Owo Pentecost massacre victims, June 17, 2022.

Nigeria church massacre: At funeral, bishop urges Christians to 'refuse to be crushed by the tragedy'

Jun 17, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

“In these coffins, a part of Nigeria lies dead, too," Bishop Emmanuel Badejo said. Read more

Map of Nigeria.

TRACKER: Where are Christians in Nigeria being killed?

Jun 15, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

More Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country worldwide — at least 4,650 in... Read more

The European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

European Parliament backs persecution report criticized by Catholic Church

May 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

COMECE said the report ‘rendered invisible’ millions of believers persecuted for their faith. Read more

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

Months later, nine Egyptian Christians still detained after protests to rebuild church

Apr 5, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Months after protests of the government’s apparent refusal to approve the rebuilding of a damaged church, nine Christian protesters in... Read more

Sister Suellen Tennyson, a member of the Congregation of the Marianites of Holy Cross, who was abducted in Burkina Faso April 4, 2022.

American nun abducted in Burkina Faso

Apr 5, 2022

By Jude Atemanke

Prayers are being sought for the safe release of Sister Suellen Tennyson, 83, an American Catholic nun who was reportedly... Read more

Pro-government demonstrators march in support of the regime after the weekly Friday Prayers, Jan. 5, 2018, in Tehran.

Iran is squeezing Christians and other minorities out of the Middle East, researcher says

Feb 22, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A researcher with the Philos Project told journalists today that Iran is using incremental strategies to squeeze non-Muslims out of... Read more

Icon of the 21 Martyrs of Libya. Image courtesy of Tony Rezk, via tonyrezk.blogspot.com

Lord Alton commemorates bravery, solidarity of the 21 Coptic Orthodox martyrs

Feb 15, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A British human rights campaigner on Tuesday commemorated the seventh anniversary of the martyrdom of 21 men, known as the... Read more

A crucifix which was destroyed during an attack on Saint Kisito minor seminary in Bougui, Burkina Faso, Feb. 10, 2022.

Minor seminary in Burkina Faso attacked

Feb 11, 2022

By CNA Staff

Saint Kisito de Bougui, a minor seminary in Burkina Faso, was attacked overnight, the pontifical charity Aid to the Church... Read more

The entrance to Christ the King Major Seminary in Fayit, Fadan Kagoma, Nigeria, whence three seminarians were abducted Oct. 11, 2021.

Expert urges attention to persecuted Christians as bishops decry Islamist violence in Nigeria

Jan 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Victims of persecution in Nigeria must be listened to, an expert on the persecution of Christians told students at the... Read more

Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghanistan the most dangerous place to be Christian, advocacy group says

Jan 19, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Afghanistan has unseated North Korea for the dubious distinction of the most dangerous country in the world for Christians, according... Read more

Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 9, 2021.

‘We all weep for these victims’: Nigerian cardinal responds after gunmen kill 200 people

Jan 12, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Onaiyekan said: ‘They attack farmers’ fields, kill farmers and no one says anything.’ Read more

An Indian Christian prays in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh.

Catholic priest in India will face trial for alleged hate speech

Jan 10, 2022

By Kate Olivera

A Catholic priest in India will face trial for allegations of hate speech during an interreligious meeting last year.  Read more

An Indian Christian prays in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, on Dec. 9, 2018.

Report finds rising anti-Christian violence in India

Dec 23, 2021

By CNA Staff

Christians were the targets of 305 violent incidents in nine months. Read more

The flag of India.

Catholic school in India attacked by Hindu mob over alleged conversions

Dec 9, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

A missionary Catholic school in central India was attacked by a mob of Hindu activists on Monday, despite the school... Read more

Red Week 2021 is marked in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From Syria to Slovakia, buildings are lit up in support of persecuted Christians

Dec 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

The event was organized the charity Aid to the Church in Need. Read more

Barbed wire fence.

New report details experience of Christians detained in North Korea

Nov 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

‘When they were caught praying, they were beaten every morning for 20 consecutive days.’ Read more

Blessed Emilia Fernandez

This pregnant woman who died in a prison in Spain, became a Martyr of the Rosary

Oct 7, 2021

By CNA Staff

A pregnant woman who found her faith in a Spanish prison during the Civil War (1936-1939) refused to give up... Read more