Middle East - Africa News

German martyrs who gave their lives in the service of the Gospel in Africa. Clockwise from top left to bottom right: Bishop Cassian (Franz Anton) Spiess, Father Karl Maria Weber, Brother Bernhard Ignatius Sarnes, Bishop Adolph Schmitt, Sister Magdala (Christa Elisabeth) Lewandowski, and Brother Heinz vom Kreuz (Heinz) Eberlein

German bishops to Church in Africa: Initiate canonization of German martyrs

Mar 16, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

A representative of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference has challenged African Church leaders to initiate the canonization processes for German... Read more

Celebration of Mass at Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

Christians in Gaza face ‘worst period’ since start of war, report says

Mar 14, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need reported that the Christian community in Gaza “is going through the... Read more

The Coptic Orthodox Church said Pope Tawadros II is aware of the attack that happened March 12, 2024, in the Coptic monastery of St. Mark and St. Bishop Samuel the Confessor in South Africa.

Attack on Coptic monastery in South Africa takes lives of three monks

Mar 13, 2024

By CNA Staff

The Coptic Orthodox Church announced that three monks were attacked and murdered Tuesday in the Coptic monastery in South Africa. Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako speaks with Rody Sher of ACI MENA.

Chaldean patriarch urges preservation of rights for Iraq’s diverse communities

Mar 12, 2024

By Georgena Hababba

As the 21st anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime approaches, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako has called for a... Read more

A camp for Internally Displaced Persons in Renk, South Sudan.

South Sudan bishop: Our people ‘on brink of destitution, slowly perishing’

Mar 11, 2024

By ACI Africa

In a March 8 letter, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala described the desperate situation of his people in South Sudan. Read more

Suhail Shadi Abu Dawod with Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Gaza, on the seashore in Gaza last summer 2023. Romanelli, belongs to the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), a Catholic clerical religious institute founded in Argentina on March 25, 1984, which Abu Dawod has petitioned to join.

Gaza teen waits to follow vocation: ‘My faith is flourishing amidst the challenges of war’

Mar 11, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Suhail Shadi Abu Dawod was planning to join the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE) in Italy — then the... Read more

Monsignor Aurelio Gazzera, coadjutor bishop-elect of the Diocese of Bangassou in the Central African Republic.

Bishop-elect in Central African Republic vows to foster peace through dialogue with rebel groups

Mar 6, 2024

By Magdalene Kahiu

Monsignor Aurelio Gazzera of the Diocese of Bangassou hopes to become a “symbol of peace” as armed groups continue to... Read more

Woolen scarves produced at the Rafedìn tailoring workshop in Amman, Jordan. The workshop is hosted in the premises of the Latin parish of Mar Yousef and it provides employment for approximately 20 young Iraqi women who sought refuge in Jordan.

This tailoring shop in Jordan helps Iraqi refugees knit their lives back together

Mar 3, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Founded by Father Mario Cornioli, the shop called Rafedìn has been helping Iraqis rebuild their lives over the past eight... Read more

A picture taken from a position in southern Israel on Feb. 29, 2024, shows smoke billowing over the Gaza Strip amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Vatican reiterates calls for hostage returns, cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war

Feb 29, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin insisted on Tuesday that a “cease-fire” is the only way for the hostages... Read more

Cardinal Robert Sarah.

Cardinal Sarah cautions against disunity among Christians, says it’s counter-witnessing

Feb 26, 2024

By ACI Africa

Disunity among followers of Christ is counterproductive to the mission of witnessing the Gospel message and evangelization, Cardinal Robert Sarah... Read more

On Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, approximately 1,000 children and youth from Christian schools in Jerusalem walked the Via Dolorosa in the Old City, offering prayers for peace. The crowd brought life to the streets of the Holy City for the first time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last October.

PHOTOS: 1,000 Christian youth walk the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem for peace

Feb 26, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

“The Way of the Cross… A Way of Peace” was organized by the Custody of the Holy Land and involved... Read more

null

More than a dozen killed in attack on Catholics at Mass in Burkina Faso

Feb 26, 2024

By ACI Africa

At least 15 Catholics were killed in an attack during Mass on Sunday in the Burkina Faso village of Essakane... Read more

Monsignor Moïse Tinguiano was appointed bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Boké in Guinea on Feb. 22, 2024.

Pope Francis erects new diocese, names bishop in West African country of Guinea

Feb 23, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis on Thursday erected the new Diocese of Boké in the West African country of Guinea. Read more

A view of the separation wall between Israel and the Palestinian Territories from behind a window in the Comboni Sisters' house in East Jerusalem.

These religious sisters are a ‘bridge’ between Israel and the Palestinian territories

Feb 17, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

“By placing ourselves in the middle, we listen to the injustice faced by the Palestinians and also to the fears... Read more

Pan Ngath Orphanage (run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity) in Rumbek, South Sudan.

One year after papal visit, South Sudan still plagued by violence

Feb 16, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

More than a year after Pope Francis visited South Sudan, the country is still plagued with high levels of violent... Read more

Smoke billows over the northern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment from southern Israel on Dec.14, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Nearly 3 dozen Christians have died in Gaza Strip amid Israel-Hamas war, aid group says

Feb 14, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Nearly three dozen Christians have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last... Read more

Michael Wolffsohn.

Attacks against Christians in Jerusalem ‘reprehensible,’ Jewish historian says

Feb 13, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“Especially in Jerusalem, orthodox activists consider themselves exemplary Jews when they spit on or even beat Christians or Muslims,” Michael... Read more

Byzantine era icons in the interior of the church.

Another Byzantine-era church in Turkey to revert to mosque

Feb 13, 2024

By ACI MENA

After serving as a museum for more than 79 years, the Turkish government is proceeding with plans to make the... 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 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