Persecution of Christians

The Latest

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

U.S. President Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10, 2023.

India’s Modi government invites Christian rights watchdog to discuss concerns 

Sep 15, 2023

By Anto Akkara

The head of the Christian human rights group had written to the prime minister’s office about three major grievances. 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

Pope Francis met with the synod of bishops of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church on June 20, 2022.

Pope Francis discusses ‘survival of Christians in the Middle East’ with Melkite bishops

Jun 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Melkite Greek Catholic Church's synod of bishops is taking place in Rome this week. Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto addresses a dinner of ADF International, "The Crisis of Religious Freedom in Nigeria," at the 2021 International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.

Outspoken Nigerian bishop says he is 'fine', amid reports he was called in for questioning by state police

Jan 11, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Following Nigerian media reports over the weekend that a Catholic bishop had been summoned for questioning by a state security... Read more

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Diocese of Yola, pictured in 2015.

Nigerian bishop: Christian persecution is “more intense now than ever”

Dec 16, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

A Nigerian Catholic bishop has challenged the United States Secretary of State to justify his decision to remove Nigeria from... Read more

Catholics carry a portrait of the Virgin Mary in China’s Hebei Province on May 26, 2013.

Catholics in China told to celebrate communist party and forgo Marian pilgrimage

Aug 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Catholic dioceses across China hosted celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) this year, while pilgrimages... Read more

Archbishop Angaelos

Coptic archbishop: Condemning persecution of non-Christians follows the example of Christ

Jul 27, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Christians around the world must speak out against persecution of non-Christians, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London told CNA during... Read more

Emmanuel Sani, a farmer affected by a Fulani attack at his village, rests on a bed at St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria, April 13, 2019.

UK urged to sanction Nigerian officials for failing to protect persecuted Christians

Jul 8, 2020

A new report Wednesday urged the U.K. to sanction Nigerian officials accused of turning a blind eye to the persecution... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2019.

European bishops call for EU support of persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Jul 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The president of the European bishops’ commission has promised persecuted Christians in Nigeria that he will advocate for increased support... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope grieves Pakistan bombings, says world hides Christian persecution

Mar 15, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis lamented today’s terrorist attacks against two Christian churches – one of them Catholic... Read more

Fr. Frans van der Lugt. Courtesy: Wael Salibi.

'I can't leave my people': Priest killed in Syria hailed as martyr

Apr 15, 2014

By Elise Harris

Days after Dutch priest Fr. Frans van der Lugt was murdered in Syria, a close young friend recalled his saintly... Read more

Grafitti sprayed upon the walls of the Marian shrine at Deir Rafat.

Jerusalem Patriarch condemns monastery vandalism

Apr 3, 2014

Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem has lamented the recent anti-Christian vandalism of a Catholic monastery and shrine near Jerusalem... Read more

Christian families displaced by violence in Odisha in 2008.

Indian diocese welcomes convictions over rape of nun

Mar 14, 2014

In a decison praised by the local Church, a judge in India sentenced three persons Friday for the 2008 rape... Read more