Islamic State
The Latest
Muslim leaders in Lebanon condemn persecution of Christians in the Middle East
The leaders of four branches of Islam in Lebanon gathered earlier this month to issue a joint statement in the... Read more
Iraqi nun's visa denial raises questions for US State Department
Sister Diana Momeka, a Catholic nun from Iraq, intended to visit the U.S. to talk about the persecution of religious... Read more
How the Holy See is using diplomacy to aid Christians in the Middle East
In the face of increased persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the Holy See's diplomatic arm is developing a... Read more
An exodus with little hope – report finds crisis of unaccompanied minors fleeing Syria
The countries neighboring Syria are swamped with millions of refugees from its civil war which creates special risks for young... Read more
Pope condemns beheading of Egyptian Christians, says blood 'cries out to be heard'
Pope Francis mourned the 21 Egyptian Christians beheaded by the Islamic State, calling them martyrs that “belong to all Christians.” Read more
After pilot's heinous execution, Jordan's Christians pray for religious harmony
Christians in Jordan have responded to the Islamic State's gruesome execution of a captured Jordanian pilot with sorrow, calling for... Read more
Can Christians survive the 'dirty games' of Middle East politics?
Christians have lived in the Middle East since the time of the apostles, but political machinations by world powers and... Read more
Leading Iraqi Christian calls on Muslims to confront 'culture of hatred'
The Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon has encouraged Iraqi Muslims to confront violent extremists, stressing the need to return to peaceful... Read more
In Kurdish Iraq, new beginnings for exiled nuns and priests
In 2014, more than 120,000 Christians in Iraq, among them dozens of priests and religious, had to flee from the... Read more
Among Christian refugees in Kurdistan, 'no one is angry at God'
“Thank you, thank you, thank you:” Suheila, an elderly Christian woman from Mosul was effusive in expressing her gratitude to... Read more
The faith that has been in Iraq 2,000 years 'cannot disappear so easily'
Archbishop Emil Nona is the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, the Iraqi city overrun by the Islamic State last summer. Since... Read more
Iraqi Christians say there's no going home after rise of Islamic State
Christians lived in Iraq for nearly two thousand years, but the violent rise of the Islamic State has convinced many... Read more
In refugee limbo, Iraqi Christians keep the faith
Threatened by forced conversion or death at the hands of the Islamic State, many Iraqi Christians have had to flee... Read more
Does the West ignore Iraqi Christians because they lack economic stake?
The leader of the Syriac Catholic Church has lashed out at Western governments, charging that they ignore the plight of... Read more
Catholics, Muslims together condemn terrorist acts in name of religion
In a joint statement delivered Thursday, the Catholic-Muslim Forum condemned acts of terrorism, oppression, and violence, affirming it is never... Read more
Martin Baani: the Iraqi seminarian who will not leave his people
Bombs are falling and the sound of the explosion is sending shock and fear into the hearts of the people.... Read more
Refugees, displaced take center stage at Middle East consistory
At Monday's consistory on the Middle East, patriarchs gathered to discuss the threats facing local Christians, and focused on the... Read more
A Middle East without Christians - cardinals consider sad prospect
Monday's consistory of cardinals focused on the plight of Christians in the Middle East, especially in light of the rise... Read more
Pope's concern for Christians in Middle East emerges at family synod
In an unexpected move, Pope Francis added to the schedule of the upcoming consistory for the causes of saints a... Read more
Apostolic nuncios to Middle East will discuss aid, response to terrorists
Pope Francis and Vatican officials are due to meet this week with the nuncios to seven Middle Eastern nations to... Read more
