Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

Father Jude Nwachukwu (left) and Father Kenneth Kanwa were kidnapped from their parish rectory in the Diocese of Pankshin in Nigeria on Feb. 1, 2024.

Two missionary priests who were kidnapped in Nigeria released

Feb 12, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Kenneth Kanwa and Father Jude Nwachukwu were taken from the rectory at St. Vincent de Paul Fier Parish in... 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

Thousands of Christians peacefully and prayerfully march to a rally in front of the Nigerian Plateau state governor's office building in protest of the 2023 Christmas massacre that left over 200 Christian Nigerians dead, Jan. 8, 2024.

House advances resolution to increase sanctions on Nigeria over persecution of Christians

Feb 7, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, the resolution would call on the Biden administration to designate Nigeria a “country of particular... Read more

Father Jude Nwachukwu (left) and Father Kenneth Kanwa were kidnapped from their parish rectory in the Diocese of Pankshin in Nigeria on Feb. 1, 2024.

Two priests kidnapped from parish rectory in Nigeria

Feb 6, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

A religious missionary order in Nigeria is appealing for the safe release of two of its members who were abducted... Read more

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Nigerian Diocese of Makurdi in Benue state at a breakfast at Capitol Hill organized by Aid to the Church in Need on Jan. 30, 2024.

Is the persecution in Nigeria a Christian genocide? This bishop says ‘yes’

Jan 30, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Nigeria warned that if greater action is not taken he believes the Christian population could disappear... 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

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

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

This image made from an AFPTV video taken in the Nigerian village of Maiyanga on Dec. 27, 2023, shows families burying in a mass grave their relatives killed in deadly attacks conducted by armed groups in central Plateau State. The death toll from a series of attacks on villages in central Nigeria has climbed to almost 200, local authorities said.

Christian villages in Nigeria reeling after Christmas attacks leave nearly 200 dead

Dec 27, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Catholic leaders and others demand government action as victims are buried in mass graves.  Read more

A map of Nigeria.

Human rights leaders call for Nigeria to be redesignated as religious freedom violator

Dec 14, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

In 2021, the Biden administration removed Nigeria, a nation notorious for extreme levels of religious persecution, from the Countries of... Read more

Nigerian priest Father Kingsley Eze was kidnapped Nov. 30, 2023, traveling to a sick call.

Parish priest in Nigeria abducted while answering sick call

Dec 5, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Father Kingsley Eze, parish priest of St. Michael’s Umuekebi Catholic Church in Nigeria’s Imo state, was kidnapped Nov. 30 and... Read more

Brother Godwin Eze.

‘I am prepared to die a martyr’: Freed Nigerian monk recounts kidnapping, murder of brother monk

Nov 30, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Brother Peter Olarewaju recounts the horrific kidnapping and torture he and other monks suffered, including the murder of a brother... Read more

A road in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Christianity growing despite world’s worst persecutions, new report says

Nov 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A new report from a Christian advocacy group says that Christianity continues to thrive and grow despite brutal repression. Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto in Nigeria.

Nigerian bishop: Tens of thousands spent to rescue kidnapped priests, seminarians

Nov 3, 2023

By ACI Africa

Most of the money has been spent rescuing priests, seminarians, and other pastoral caregivers who were kidnapped by various militia... Read more

U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

Religious persecution is threat to U.S. national security, experts tell Congress

Oct 26, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

In testimony to the House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, experts said that religious... Read more

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Monk killed after kidnapping from Nigerian monastery eulogized as prayerful, easygoing

Oct 25, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Brother Godwin Eze was kidnapped Oct. 17 alongside two others from the Benedictine monastery in Eruku, Nigeria, located in the... Read more

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Monk shot, body thrown in river following kidnapping at Nigerian monastery

Oct 24, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

A diocese in Nigeria announced that Brother Godwin Eze, a monk who was kidnapped with two others from a Benedictine... Read more