Christian persecution

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Catholic faithful offer prayers during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Mary's Basilica in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad in India on Feb. 14, 2024.

Incidents of violence and persecution against Christians shoot up in India

Mar 27, 2024

By Anto Akkara

Violence and persecution against minority Christians, who account for only 2.3% of India’s 1.41 billion people, have been on a... Read more

Hong Kong.Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, May 18, 2020.

Hong Kong activist: Proposed law could worsen religious liberty, persecute Catholics

Feb 13, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

If enacted, Article 23 would expand the law to bolster the government’s crackdown on political dissidents, which has been ongoing... Read more

Indian Catholics bishops pray at the closing of the their Feb. 7, 2024, conference.

Indian Church to observe ‘day of prayer and fasting’ amid growing religious polarization

Feb 12, 2024

By Anto Akkara

The Catholic Church in India has called for observing March 22 as a “day of prayer and fasting for peace... Read more

Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province in Nigeria.

Nigeria fast becoming a hostile killing field, Catholic bishops in Ibadan province say

Feb 12, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Following a recent two-day meeting, Catholic Church leaders said in a statement that “all is not well and positive change... Read more

Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Benedictine Basilica of the Dormition in Jerusalem, speaks during an ecumenical prayer service that took place at the Cenacle on Jan. 25, 2024.

Attack on priest in Jerusalem brings intolerance of Christians back into focus

Feb 8, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Harassment of Christians in the Holy Land is not new. “Education is key,” says an expert on Jewish-Christian relations. Read more

The 36th biennial assembly of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), with over 180 bishops in attendance, got underway in Bangalore on Jan. 31, 2024.

Violence against Christians in India addressed at Catholic bishops’ conference

Feb 1, 2024

By Anto Akkara

“The Church can play a crucial role in shaping the moral character of the society,” said Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the... Read more

Turkish police stand guard outside the scene of an armed attack at a Catholic church in Istanbul, Turkey, on Jan. 28, 2024.

Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Catholic church in Istanbul

Jan 29, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Two suspects described as members of the Islamic State group have been arrested following the shooting at Santa Maria Church... Read more

Seminarians at Good Shepherd Major Seminary in Nigeria's Kaduna state where four students were kidnapped and one, Michael Nnadi, was killed in 2020.

Nigerian Christians are being martyred — here’s how it’s affecting seminary formation

Jan 26, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

There is an emerging spirituality in Nigerian seminaries and monasteries that many may find difficult to grasp: the spirituality of... Read more

Margaret and Dominic Attah with Lord Alton and other parliamentarians on # RedWednesday 2023.

British Catholic politician demands justice for Christians killed in Nigeria at Christmas

Jan 22, 2024

By ACI Africa

Lord Alton of Liverpool called on the U.K. government to urgently address persecution in Nigeria, starting with last year’s Christmas... Read more

Protest Against Christian Persecution in China, Sept. 14, 2019, Cologne, Germany.

Believing in Jesus can cost you your life in these 50 countries 

Jan 22, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Open Doors just released its 2024 World Persecution List, which reflects a worsening situation for Christians worldwide. Read more

St. Arcadius.

Today the Church honors 3 groups of martyrs as Christians worldwide continue to face persecution

Jan 12, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

On Jan. 12, we honor the feast days of several martyrs and groups of martyrs at a time when there... Read more

Janada Marcus, 22, was forced to flee Boko Haram with her family twice before the terrorists attacked them again, killing her father and kidnapping her.

New online database tracks attacks against Christians in real time

Jan 9, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The “Violent Incidents Database,” launched by Global Christian Relief on Jan. 5, tracks attacks on Christians and people of faith... Read more

Catholic Archbishop Matthew Ishaya Audu of Jos marches alongside evangelical leader Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam in front of the Plateau state governor's office building in Jos, Nigeria, Jan. 8, 2024.

Thousands of Christians in Nigeria rally to demand action after Christmas massacres

Jan 9, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The protesters called for “urgent humanitarian relief material response by the state and federal government.” Read more

Chinese flags on barbed wired wall in Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China.

Chinese bishop who was removed from diocese by Communist regime is arrested

Jan 5, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin was arrested on Jan. 2 and reportedly instructed to “take clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and... Read more

Nahida Anton and her daughter Samar Anton were killed as they were walked to the Missionaries of Charity convent in the compound of Holy Family Parish in Gaza on Dec. 16, 2023.

Vatican: 20 Catholic missionaries killed in 2023

Jan 2, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

Twenty Catholic missionaries were murdered in 2023, according to a new Dec. 30 report issued by the Vatican’s Fides News... Read more

A screen grab from a video shared with ACI Africa that shows the parish house at St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Catholic Church of the Diocese of Kafanchan in flames Sept. 7, 2023.

Here’s where Christians continued to face persecution in 2023

Dec 30, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Christians have been persecuted by adversarial groups since the time of the apostles, and in varied parts of the world... Read more

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts a Christmas gathering with Christian leaders, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai and Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto, at his residence in New Delhi on Dec. 25, 2023.

India’s Modi hosts Christian leaders for Christmas amid rising persecution

Dec 29, 2023

By Anto Akkara

“Christmas is an occasion to remember Jesus Christ’s life’s message and values,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, addressing Christian leaders. Read more

Bishop Louis Mascarenhas of Allahabad greets Father Babu Francis at the gate of Naini jail in Prayagraj district with a bouquet of flowers.

Indian priest jailed under ‘anti-conversion’ laws is released

Dec 22, 2023

By Anto Akkara

Father Babu Francis was detained by the police on Oct. 1 after he sought information on the arrest and detention... Read more

The Austrian Parliament building is lit red as part of the international "Red Week" in honor of persecuted Christians across the globe.

‘Red Week’: Buildings and monuments across the world lit red in honor of persecuted Christians

Nov 24, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Buildings, monuments, and hundreds of churches across the world are being lit up in red throughout November in honor of... Read more

World Youth Day pilgrims in Panama City from the Archdiocese of Seoul.

Archbishop to invite young North Koreans to next World Youth Day in Seoul

Nov 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick shared this week that he plans to invite a youth delegation from North Korea to the... Read more