Middle East - Africa News

Devasting flooding has hit the city of Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria, and the diocese there is appealing for assistance and prayer.

Nigeria diocese appeals for help, prayers after thousands displaced by floods

Sep 12, 2024

By ACI Africa

The Diocese of Maiduguri announced that the flooding in Maiduguri, a city in northeast Nigeria, is the worst the region... Read more

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition cover the altar, just dedicated by the cardinal. The covering of the altar signifies that it is both the place of the Eucharistic sacrifice and the Lord’s table.

Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant Church reopens in the Holy Land, new altar dedicated

Sep 12, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, recently came to the basilica to dedicate its new altar on the... Read more

Erbil International Airport entry in Erbil, Iraq.

Iraqi Christians are leaving their homeland once again

Sep 8, 2024

By Rody Sher

Many Iraqi Christians are fleeing the country seeking refuge in neighboring nations before heading to more distant destinations. Read more

Sabeen Rahil and Elias Johny Al Arja in Bethlehem. In the background behind them is the bell tower of the Church of the Nativity, which stands on the site where Jesus was born.

Staying in Bethlehem: Christian couple opts to marry and put down roots despite hardships

Sep 7, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Two young Christians from Bethlehem have decided to marry and settle down in their hometown despite the ongoing war and... Read more

Worshippers attend a mass at Ouagadougou's Catholic cathedral on June 12, 2022, in Burkina Faso. The country has been grappling with Islamist terrorism since 2015 and Christian communities live in fear of furhter attacks.

Catholic communities in Burkina Faso ‘constantly living in fear’ 

Sep 5, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Two Catholic priests serving in Burkina Faso have spoken about the threats that terrorist groups pose to Christians in the... Read more

Christian churches in Jordan have called upon Christians to participate in the upcoming elections.

Two Catholic patriarchs address the people of Jordan with distinct messages

Sep 4, 2024

By ACI MENA

On the eve of Jordan’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for Sept. 10, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa sent a written message addressed to... Read more

Nearly 2,000 young people from Christian youth groups across Iraq gathered for the seventh annual Ankawa Youth Gathering 2024 held Aug. 22–24, 2024, in the Mar Elia Shrine Courtyard in Ankawa-Erbil, Iraq.

Nearly 2,000 Christian youth in Iraq gather for prayer, faith formation

Aug 29, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

Young people from Christian youth groups across Iraq gathered for the seventh annual Ankawa Youth Gathering held Aug. 22–24 in... Read more

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After 1,700 years, an ancient tree marks the vanished hometown of St. Augustine

Aug 28, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The famous saint is associated with the ancient city of Hippo, but before that, he lived in a now-vanished town... Read more

St. Monica.

St. Monica: the persistent mother of St. Augustine who never gave up

Aug 27, 2024

By CNA Staff

On Aug. 27 the Church honors St. Monica, whose holy example and fervent intercession led to one of the most... Read more

The procession of “Our Lady of Trapani” in La Goulette, Tunis, Tunisia, on Aug. 15, 2024.

Marian procession in Tunisia brings Catholics and Muslims together

Aug 26, 2024

By ACI MENA

Every year in the heart of North Africa, the country of Tunisia offers a unique spectacle: an annual procession honoring... Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson delivers the inaugural lecture at the opening of the 2024/2025 academic year of the Nairobi-based Hekima University College (HUC) on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.

Cardinal Turkson explores evolution of power in Church, society in Kenya college lecture

Aug 23, 2024

By Jude Atemanke, João Vissesse

Ghanaian-born Cardinal Peter Turkson gave a lecture to open the new school year at the Nairobi, Kenya-based Hekima University College. Read more

The Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs, in Gyumri, Armenia, is the cathedral of the Ordinariate for Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe of the Armenian Catholic Church.

Pope Francis appoints new Ordinary for Armenian Catholics in Eastern Europe

Aug 21, 2024

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The Holy See Press Office announced the appointment of Archpriest Kevork Noradounguian as the new Ordinary for Armenian Catholics in... Read more

Belkız,  61, was born into a Muslim family in Turkey. After reading books on materialist philosophy in her youth, she became an atheist at 15 but eventually became a Christian and then a Catholic.

From Islam to the Catholic Church: One Turkish woman shares her story of faith

Aug 21, 2024

By Nathalie Ritzmann

Born in Turkey, Belkiz went from practicing Islam to becoming an atheist and then discovering Catholicism after a moment with... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, relator general of Synod on Synodality, speaks to the media on June 20, 2023, at the temporary headquarters of the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City.

Synod organizer Cardinal Hollerich: Catholic Church in Africa ‘not afraid to speak’

Aug 20, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The prelate told La Croix that the Church in Africa is one that is “alive and full of faith” and... 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.

Over 70 Christians killed, 20 medical students kidnapped in recent Nigeria violence

Aug 20, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The attacks have renewed calls from religious freedom advocates that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria a “country of... Read more

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The bishops released a statement Aug. 15, 2024, the solemnity of the Assumption, condemning abuses during Mass and urging priests to take action.

Catholic bishops in Nigeria condemn liturgical abuses, call for immediate reforms

Aug 19, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Bishops expressed concern about a rising trend of deviations from established liturgical norms, warning that such practices are a source... Read more

Several mobs attacked Christian communities and set fire to several churches Aug. 16, 2023, in the town of Jaranwala, in Pakistan’s Faisalabad district, after two Christians were accused of defiling the Quran.

Pakistan: One year later, Jaranwala Christians await justice

Aug 16, 2024

By AC Wimmer

One year after the Jaranwala riots, Christian communities in Pakistan still face injustice and persecution under the country’s controversial blasphemy... Read more

Archbishop Denys Chahda highlighted the faith of Syrian Christians despite suffering and difficulties.

Catholics in war-torn Syria doing their best to ‘live in peace’

Aug 15, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Archbishop Denys Chahda said that many basic services and guarantees still need to be improved so that Syrians can have... Read more

Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein of Nigeria's Wukari Diocese and one of the church stewards who lost an eye.

Catholic diocese in Nigeria condemns brutal assault on priest by military

Aug 14, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

The Diocese of Wukari in Nigeria has condemned an attack on All Saints Catholic Church Ikyaior by the Nigerian military... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem.

A special prayer for peace in the Holy Land on the feast of the Assumption of Mary

Aug 14, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, said that “these days seem to be important” in order to change the... Read more