Africa

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Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was reportedly abducted from Nigeria’s Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17, 2023.

Nigerian diocese calls for prayers for kidnapped priest

Sep 19, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was on his way back to his parish in the Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17 when... Read more

A woman reacts standing in front of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakesh on Sept. 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late Sept. 8 killed more than 1,000 people, the government said on Sept. 9, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night.

Major earthquake in Morocco kills more than 1,000

Sep 9, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis offered the country his “prayerful communion in the face of this natural disaster.” Read more

Schoolchildren in Tigray, Ethiopia, eat biscuits and tea provided by Mary's Meals.

Catholic charity resumes bringing meals and hope to war-torn Tigray

Sep 3, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

In late August, Mary’s Meals began serving food once again to approximately 10,000 children in 14 schools in northern Ethiopia.   Read more

Bishop John Patrick Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix visited the African nations of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya in August 2023 for a tour of projects connected to the U.S. bishops’ conference’s Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa.

Family life, ‘bonding together’ behind spread of Christianity in Africa, U.S. bishop says

Aug 29, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Bishop John Patrick Dolan of Phoenix returned from a 12-day trip to the African countries of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya... Read more

Workers carry sacks of grain in a warehouse of the World Food Programme (WFP) in the city of Abala, Ethiopia, on June 9, 2022. The Afar region was the only passageway for humanitarian convoys bound for Tigray.

Tigray food crisis deepens as Catholic leaders plead for relief

Aug 18, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Over 20 million people in Ethiopia rely on food assistance, but it was halted four months ago after the discovery... Read more

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Ugandan diocese observes five-day prayer for victims of secondary school attack

Jun 27, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

On June 16, suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces reportedly attacked the school, killing some 41 people, including 38... Read more

Father Apollinaire Cibaka Cikongo.

‘There is sometimes a terrifying silence’ regarding abortions in Africa, priest says

Jun 25, 2023

By ACI Africa

Father Apollinaire Cibaka Cikongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed concern about the “general silence” on abortion in Africa. Read more

Father Jeremiah Yakubu of the Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria was freed on Monday, June 12, 2023, after 24 hours in captivity.

Nigerian priest abducted on Corpus Christi Sunday regains freedom

Jun 14, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Jeremiah Yakubu, who was kidnapped from his parish rectory in Karku, Nigeria, Sunday evening, has been released. Read more

The Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria said Father Jeremiah Yakubu was taken from his parish's rectory on Sunday, June 11.

Nigeria’s Diocese of Kafanchan appeals for ‘intense prayers’ for abducted priest

Jun 13, 2023

By Magdalene Kahiu

The diocese said Father Jeremiah Yakubu from Holy Trinity Parish in Karku was taken from the rectory at about 11... Read more

Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi was shot dead while returning from pastoral duties in Nigeria’s Benin City Archdiocese on Wednesday, June 7.

Nigerian priest returning from pastoral duties shot dead; archdiocese in ‘great shock’

Jun 12, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

In a statement shared June 8 with ACI Africa, CNA’s African news partner, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze expressed shock at... Read more

Father Matthias Opara was freed May 28, 2023, after spending three days in captivity in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.

Catholic priest in Nigeria freed on Pentecost Sunday after three days in captivity

May 30, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Matthias Opara, a Nigerian Catholic priest who was abducted on May 26 while returning from a funeral, has been... Read more

Police and residents of Wumat, a farming town 45 miles south of Jos, Nigeria, arrive to survey damage and help survivors of a terrorist attack on Nov 22, 2022.

Africa’s leaders gather in DC as religious persecution in Nigeria is still being ignored

Dec 15, 2022

By Peter Pinedo

As Biden welcomes African leaders this week, religious freedom advocates are calling for the U.S. to recognize the persecution of... Read more

The United Nations General Assembly in New York.

African nations stand alone against abortion rights, gender ideology at the UN 

Sep 16, 2022

By Edie Heipel

The resolution includes language stating that countries must provide “access to safe abortion” as a “human right.” Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Nigeria church massacre: State Dept. official meets local bishop

Jun 17, 2022

By Maisy Sullivan

The meeting took place following a request by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey. Read more

Charles, a 33-year-old father of a family who is a refugee at Pulka in Nigeria's Borno State.

Heroic Nigerian priest risks his life daily to help Christian refugees, aid agency says

Dec 15, 2021

By Agnes Aineah

Not every Catholic priest risks mortal danger every time he visits his people, but this Nigerian priest does. Read more

Meet Our Lady of Kibeho: The only approved Marian apparition in Africa

Jul 19, 2021

By Katie Yoder

There is only one Vatican-approved Marian apparition that took place on the African continent: Our Lady of Kibeho. 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

Bishop Hilary Nanman Dachelem of Bauchi, Nigeria.

Catholic charity to give $9.5 million in aid to Africa’s persecuted Christians

Apr 27, 2021

By Courtney Mares

“In no other region have so many priests, religious and church workers been murdered in the last three years.” Read more

Sunset over the Sahel in Niger.

Analysis of Sahel region conflict finds violence rooted in inequality

Oct 1, 2020

A new report from Catholic Relief Services has found that growing violence in the Sahel region of West Africa has... Read more

View of St. Peter’s Basilica from the roof of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross April 1, 2015.

Catholic missionary: ‘Secularization’ in the Church threatens Christianity in Europe

Sep 8, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

According to a longtime missionary in Africa, Fr. Martin Lasarte, one of the biggest threats to Christianity in Europe is... Read more