Religious persecution

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At least 11 people were killed Sept. 15, 2023, after members of the Islamic State attacked a village in Mozambique and opened fire on Christians after hand-picking them from Muslims, the Catholic pontifical and charity foundation Aid to the Church in Need International reported.

11 killed as Islamist jihadists reportedly target Christians in Mozambican village

Sep 20, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

After separating the Christians from the Muslims, “they opened fire on the Christians,” a Sept. 18 Aid to the Church... Read more

Nicaraguan opposition peasant leader Medardo Mairena speaks during a press conference at the Permanent Commission of Human Rights (CPDH) in Managua on Aug. 14, 2019.

Nicaraguan ‘campesino’ leader who refused to falsely accuse bishops shares his testimony

Sep 7, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Medardo Mairena Sequeira said Daniel Ortega “has become entrenched in power and anyone who makes waves ... can immediately be... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

6 things you should know about the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua

Aug 27, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

The Ortega dictatorship has not hesitated to expel nuns, shut down Catholic media outlets, take over ecclesiastical institutions and buildings,... Read more

Just four days after a mob of Islamist extremists burned down a Christian community in the Pakistani city of Jaranwala, more than 700 Catholics gathered to celebrate Mass outside the decimated St. Paul Catholic Church on Aug. 20, 2023.

Hundreds of Pakistan Catholics celebrate Mass outside burned church days after mob attacks

Aug 24, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Despite the incredible devastation and widespread fears that another anti-Christian riot would break out, hundreds of Catholics turned to the... Read more

Irish-American Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York celebrated Mass at a “Mass rock” in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, during a pilgrimage with roughly 40 people from the Archdiocese of New York on Aug. 21, 2023. Pictured left to right: Father Enrique Salvo, Cardinal Dolan, Father Stephen Ries, Monsignor Dennis Keane, Bishop Edmund Whalen, all from the New York Archdiocese.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrates Mass at historic ‘Mass rock’ during pilgrimage to Ireland

Aug 23, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

New York’s archbishop tweeted a video of himself paying tribute to the Irish who had to escape to the woods... Read more

Central American University (UCA) of Nicaragua.

U.S. State Department spokesman condemns seizure of Jesuit university in Nicaragua

Aug 17, 2023

By Diego López Marina, CNA Staff

“The U.S. condemns the regime’s ongoing repression of religious figures and institutions,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said. Read more

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Priest: Cuban government threatening religious who express opinion on country’s situation

Jul 24, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

Father Alberto Reyes recently stated that members of the Church who denounce the injustices that occur in the country get... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

U.S. State Department official calls for release of imprisoned bishop, priest in Nicaragua

Jul 17, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs has called for the release of Father Fernando Zamora Silva... Read more

The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, which houses the meeting room of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

UN human rights council passes religious hatred resolution amid U.S., European opposition

Jul 12, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The resolution urges member states to more aggressively prosecute acts of religious-based antagonism.  Read more

Father Fernando Zamora Silva.

5 years after massacre, Nicaragua dictatorship arrests priest, blocks return of another

Jul 11, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

On Sunday, July 9, Father Fernando Zamora Silva was reportedly “arbitrarily arrested” in the city of Managua where he was... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, is monitored by police in early August 2022.

Inter-American Court of Human Rights demands immediate release of Nicaraguan Bishop Álvarez

Jul 3, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

In its June 27 ruling the IACHR also required the Nicaraguan government to report on the bishop’s situation by July... Read more

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Exiled Nicaraguans: Dissolving university that trained seminarians was ‘hostile action’

May 22, 2023

By David Ramos

On May 18, the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Interior announced the “voluntary dissolution” of the university run by the Archdiocese... Read more

Pope Francis spoke about the Christian roots of Hungary during his general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 3, 2023.

Pope Francis revisits ‘very painful’ Jesuit abductions in 1970s Argentina

May 10, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

A question about Budapest-born Father Jálics came during the first Jesuit pope’s apostolic visit to Hungary. Read more

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In 5 years the Church in Nicaragua has suffered more than 500 attacks, 90 in 2023 alone

May 4, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Researcher and lawyer Martha Patricia Molina on May 3 presented the third installment of her report “Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church?” Read more

The dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega on April 13, 2023, expelled from Nicaragua three nuns who were running a home for the elderly.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua expels three nuns who were serving the elderly

Apr 14, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In a new attack against the Catholic Church, the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega expelled three nuns from Nicaragua. Read more

Residents of Adunu line up to cast their ballots in Adunu Feb. 25, 2023.

Dozens still captive in Nigeria after deadly raid on Catholic town

Apr 6, 2023

By Douglas Burton

Armed bandits killed one person and kidnapped more than 100 others in a March 14 raid on a predominantly Catholic... Read more

Pope Francis waves at pilgrims from China at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 7, 2016.

Local Chinese authorities order parents at school to sign pledge renouncing their faith 

Mar 23, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

In another crackdown on religious freedom, authorities in an eastern Chinese city ordered parents to sign a pledge that affirms... Read more

Ruins after a militia attack in Benue state, Nigeria, during the last week of February 2023.

Waves of attacks displace Catholic natives in central Nigeria

Mar 15, 2023

By Douglas Burton

Recent terrorist raids in Benue, a predominantly Catholic state in north-central Nigeria, are getting scant mention in Nigeria news. Read more

Janada Marcus with Pope Francis at the general audience on March 8, 2023.

Pope Francis meets with two Nigerian girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram

Mar 8, 2023

By Courtney Mares, Peter Pinedo

The women, who both saw members of their families murdered by Boko Haram, met with the pope at the end... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Nicaragua’s dictatorship sentences Bishop Rolando Álvarez to 26 years in prison

Feb 10, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Ortega regime sentenced the bishop on Friday, Feb. 10, to 26 years and four months in prison, accusing him... Read more