Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience in Paul VI Hall on Jan. 18, 2023.

Pope Francis: Jesus is ‘the unsurpassed model of evangelization’

Jan 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At his weekly public audience, Pope Francis said that one of the best images to represent Jesus’ style of life... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the general audience, Oct. 19, 2022

Pope Francis prays for priest killed in Nigeria, asks for prayers for persecuted Christians

Jan 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At the end of his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis asked for people to join him in praying for persecuted Christians... Read more

Father Isaac Achi, a Nigerian Catholic priest, was murdered in Niger State on Jan. 15, 2023.

Catholic priest burned to death in Nigeria

Jan 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Another priest was shot in the Jan. 15 bandit attack but survived. Read more

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Dozens still in captivity after Christmas Day attack in Nigeria, Catholic priest says

Jan 11, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

On Christmas Day 2022, militant Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists attacked Angwan Aku village, reportedly killing one person and abducting... Read more

Bishop Yakubu Kundi of the Diocese of Kafanchan, Nigeria.

Nigeria bishop: Pre-Christmas massacre part of ‘a deliberate plan to unleash evil’ against Christians

Dec 22, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Witnesses say armed Fulani herdsmen attacked several Christian villages on Dec. 18, leaving as many as 46 people dead and... Read more

CNA

Nigerian mother charged with blasphemy for defending murdered Christian student

Dec 20, 2022

By Peter Pinedo

Rhoda Jatau was arrested after forwarding a video of a Muslim denouncing the mob killing of Nigerian Christian college student... Read more

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U.S. calls for investigation into Nigerian forced abortions, according to report

Dec 16, 2022

By Peter Pinedo

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, is seeking information from Nigerian authorities regarding evidence of a massive forced abortion... Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Nigerian musician files lawsuit with Supreme Court challenging blasphemy conviction

Dec 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

ADF International says the appeal has the potential to overturn Northern Nigeria’s blasphemy laws. 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

Altar of St. Francis Xavier Owo Catholic Parish of Ondo Diocese, Nigeria, where dozens were slain in a massacre on June 5, 2022.

Bishop: ‘Nigeria is waiting’ for justice in Pentecost Sunday church massacre

Dec 9, 2022

By Jude Atemanke

Six months have passed since 39 Catholic worshipers were slain and dozens injured in a June 5 attack on a... Read more

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Reuters exposes massive rape and forced abortion campaigns in Nigeria

Dec 7, 2022

By Peter Pinedo

A Reuters investigative report found that a massive forced abortion program has been carried out by the Nigerian military on... Read more

State officials walk past injured victims on hospital beds being treated for wounds following an attack by gunmen at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, southwest Nigeria, on June 5, 2022.

Human rights commission ‘outraged’ as State Department excludes Nigeria from watchlist

Dec 5, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

In Nigeria at least 60,000 Christians have been killed, many by their Muslim countrymen, over the past two decades. 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.

Despite incessant attacks, Nigerian Catholics keep their faith

Dec 2, 2022

By Douglas Burton, Masara Kim

Attacks by groups of Islamist militia variously called “herdsmen,” “bandits,” or “unknown gunmen” increasingly victimize farming towns in Nigeria. Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria

Nigerian bishop addresses the evils of Islamist extremism at interfaith summit

Nov 3, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

Addressing the G20 Religion Forum in Bali, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah testified to the violence committed against both Christians and... Read more

Catholic elementary school in Gbeji, Benue State, Central Nigeria.

Dozens of Catholic villagers reportedly killed in Central Nigeria raid

Oct 29, 2022

By Douglas Burton

The state police commissioner says no more than 10 people were slain, but a county official claims more than 70... Read more

Terrorist attacks in Benue State, Nigeria, have forced residents to flee their villages and, in some cases, seek shelter in local Catholic churches and schools. Pictured here is St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Yelewata.

Nigerian bishop appeals for help from European Parliament as terrorist attacks continue

Oct 14, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Since Oct. 8 terrorist attacks have claimed eight lives, displaced thousands, and left parishioners traumatized in Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbea's... Read more

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Pastor and more than 80 others kidnapped in attacks on two Nigerian churches

Sep 23, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

On Sept. 17, militants raided the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Suleja in Niger state and abducted dozens of worshippers... Read more

Formerly detained Father Oliver Opara (left) with Ummi Hassan; Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto (not an abductee); Father Stephen Ojapah; and Hassan Fareed Hassan after the four were released from being held captive by terrorists.

Freed Nigerian priest recounts details of his kidnapping by insurgents

Sep 7, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Father Stephen Ojapah had fallen fast asleep late on May 25 after an exhausting day of parish work when two... Read more

Catholic journalist Luka Binniyat will stand trial on charges of "cyberstalking" after reporting on the massacre of Christians in Nigeria.

Journalist who reported on massacre of Nigerian Christians to stand trial for “cyberstalking”

Aug 18, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Luka Binniyat, a Catholic human rights reporter, is facing prison after writing an article in which the Nigerian government was... Read more

State officials walk past injured victims on hospital beds being treated for wounds following an attack by gunmen at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, southwest Nigeria, on June 5, 2022.

Arrests made in Nigeria Pentecost massacre

Aug 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

One of those arrested in the killing of 40 people is a high-ranking member of Islamic State, authorities said. Read more