Middle East - Africa News

Bishop António Francisco Jaca of the Diocese of Benguela in Angola speaks on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Radio Ecclesia, Angola’s Catholic Radio on Dec. 8, 2024.

African bishop exhorts Catholic journalists to uphold standards

Dec 12, 2024

By João Vissesse

The 70th anniversary of Angola’s Catholic Radio was the occasion of a bracing plea for Catholic journalistic integrity by Bishop... Read more

The historic city of Aleppo, Syria.

Church leaders express ‘hope’ that Syrian regime will respect Christian communities

Dec 10, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Rebel forces met with bishops in Aleppo “immediately” after capturing the city, “assuring them that they would respect the various... Read more

Lebanese Christians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria on Dec. 8, 2024.

Lebanese Christians celebrate Assad’s fall, see it as justice for years of oppression

Dec 10, 2024

By Romy Haber

In the wake of the Assad regime’s fall in Syria, the streets of Lebanon were alive with celebration as church... Read more

Bishop Hanna Jallouf, the apostolic vicar of Aleppo and head of the Latin Church in Syria, told ACI MENA “we pray for a new dawn in this country.”

A new dawn for Syria? Bishop Jallouf highlights Christians as pillars of reconstruction

Dec 9, 2024

By Souheil Lawand

Bishop Hanna Jallouf, the apostolic vicar of Aleppo and head of the Latin Church in Syria, shared his reflections on... Read more

When asked what Christians can do outside the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa responded: “Pray and support. Support the Christian community as much as they can.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa: Pope Francis calls Holy Family Church in Gaza every day

Dec 6, 2024

By Kristina Millare

In a press conference on Dec. 6, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Pope Francis is known by the children... Read more

Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku of Sudan's El Obeid Diocese.

Catholic bishop in Sudan seriously injured in assault by Rapid Forces

Dec 6, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali fell into the hands of the paramilitary force while he was traveling to the... Read more

Iraqi Christian youth gather at the Ankawa Youth Meeting in 2022.

Iraqi Christian youth voice their views on the Church and their future

Dec 5, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

A survey conducted between 2022 and 2024 by ACI MENA revealed young Iraqi Christians’ views of the Church and of... Read more

On Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, the Franciscan complex of the Terra Santa College in Aleppo was hit by a strike. No casualties were reported but panic has reportedly spread among the people.

Franciscan monastery in Aleppo attacked; friars call for peace

Dec 3, 2024

By Souhail Lawand

A statement released by the Franciscan order said a missile strike from a warplane hit the monastery, destroying one of... Read more

Smoke of war rises over a residential area in Aleppo. On Dec. 1, 2024, the Franciscan complex of the Terra Santa College in Aleppo was hit by a strike. No casualties were reported.

As Aleppo’s Christians face new ordeal, Church leaders call for courage and faith

Dec 2, 2024

By ACI MENA

Christians face new challenges as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a militant faction affiliated with extremist groups, launched its largest operation in... Read more

Children welcome the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, upon his entrance into Bethlehem on Nov. 30, 2024, for the beginning of Advent. The custos’ entry was festive, but at the same time, it was impossible to ignore the echoes of war. The children were holding signs with messages of peace and solidarity for those suffering due to the war.

PHOTOS: Holy Land Christians begin another Advent in the midst of war

Dec 2, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

This past weekend, the people in Bethlehem welcomed the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, led by the... Read more

Christmas tree and Nativity scene in Faraya's Public Square, a town in the Keserwan District of Mount Lebanon, in November 2024.

Vandals target Nativity scene in Lebanon

Dec 2, 2024

By ACI MENA

A gun was placed near a Nativity scene in the town of Faraya, in the Keserwan District of Mount Lebanon,... Read more

The Iraqi flag.

Proposed amendments to Iraqi law undermine women’s dignity, human rights expert says

Nov 29, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

Iraqi Christians push for Personal Status Law amid controversial amendments related to child marriage, divorce rights, and child custody. Read more

A refugee camp in Gaza houses those displaced by the war.

Virtually no aid has reached Gaza for over 40 days, CRS says

Nov 27, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

A nearly two-month blockage of supplies into parts of northern Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is hampering the aid... Read more

The late Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, the oldest priest in Nigeria, who died on the feast of Christ the King, Nov. 24, at the age of 104.

Oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria dies at 104

Nov 26, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Thomas Oleghe, the oldest priest in Nigeria has passed away at the age of 104. Read more

Nigerian priests, Father George Ehusani, founder of the Psycho-Spiritual Institute (PSI) and Executive Director of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, and Father Hyacinth Ichoku, the Vice Chancellor of  Veritas University Abuja, expressed grave concern about the worsening security situation in Nigeria, noting recent activities by the less-known Lakurawa jihadist group in the country’s Northwest region.

“We are in trouble”: Catholic priests lament another jihadist group making inroads in Nigeria

Nov 25, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Two Catholic priests from Nigeria have expressed grave concern about the worsening security situation in the West African nation. Read more

Pope Francis welcomes Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III to the Vatican on Nov. 9, 2024.

The Assyrian-Catholic bond: a model of unity despite differences

Nov 24, 2024

By Rody Sher

Mar Awa III of the Assyrian Church of the East called Francis’ decision to include St. Isaac of Nineveh in... Read more

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Nairobi Archdiocese in Kenya.

Nairobi archbishop declines Kenyan president’s donations to Catholic parish

Nov 20, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Archbishop Philip Anyolo Subira has declined the equivalent of $38,500 that Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto offered to a parish... Read more

Memorial tree in Mayfouk, Lebanon, in remembrance of Christians killed in the Lebanese civil war.

Red Wednesday in the Land of the Martyrs 

Nov 20, 2024

By Alberto M. Fernández

Nov. 20 marks Red Wednesday, a growing effort to show solidarity with the suffering Church.   Read more

President Donald J. Trump is joined by legislators and Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil-Kurdistan, Iraq, left, as he signs H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018 on Dec. 11, 2018, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Chaldean archbishop voices hope for peace under new U.S. administration

Nov 11, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, head of the Chaldean Eparchy of Erbil, has expressed hope that the new U.S. president will... 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, Jan. 30, 2024.

Over 15 Catholic parishes close amid ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria

Nov 8, 2024

By Abah Anthony John

Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe has called for action to address escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Benue state, which has led to... Read more