Middle East - Africa News
Catholics urged to be generous to Good Friday collection to benefit the Holy Land
Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, invited Catholics to a donate as an act of... Read more
Vatican’s ambassador during Iraq war: Under Saddam Hussein ‘the Church was respected’
The papal nuncio in Iraq at the time of the U.S. invasion 20 years ago said Christians in Iraq were... Read more
How the Salesians are helping youth in Syria, a country in its 12th year of civil war
March 15 marked the 12th year of civil war in Syria, where bombs, poverty, and earthquakes have destroyed the country. Read more
Waves of attacks displace Catholic natives in central Nigeria
Recent terrorist raids in Benue, a predominantly Catholic state in north-central Nigeria, are getting scant mention in Nigeria news. Read more
‘My parishioners shot dead in cold blood’: Priests, lay faithful describe attacks in Nigeria
Aid to the Church in Need has released firsthand testimonies of Catholic faithful who have survived torture, kidnappings, and massacres. Read more
Syrian Catholic monk once kidnapped by ISIS consecrated archbishop
Father Jacques Mourad was consecrated as the new archbishop of Homs, Syria. Read more
Report: Wave of murders after elections in Nigeria forces Catholic diocese staff to evacuate
Dozens of people were reportedly killed in attacks on villages in Nigeria’s Benue State Wednesday, a diocesan official said. Read more
Muslim-Muslim ticket proclaimed winner of Nigeria’s presidential election amid protests
The country’s Catholic bishops, among others, have sharply criticized the Independent Nigerian Election Commission for its handling of the vote... Read more
Survivor of Turkey earthquake: ‘God protected me and the Virgin Mary did not leave me’
Only a few hours after Bassel Habkouk arrived for a visit in Turkey on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck... Read more
After Pope Francis’ visit, South Sudan relief charity sees renewed interest and prayers
For workers at a relief agency that has supplied aid to the people of South Sudan for 25 years, the... Read more
Nigerians head to the polls to choose a new president — and brace for post-election violence
Peter Obi, one of three leading candidates, is Catholic and a popular former governor. Read more
Nigeria’s newest cardinal: Presidential election will ‘either make or break Nigeria’
With Nigeria’s escalating violence, a lot is at stake in the presidential election this week in Africa’s most populous country,... Read more
Archbishop asks for prayers following new 6.4-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria
Antoine Chahda, the Syrian Catholic archbishop of Aleppo, Syria, asked for prayers after a new 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook Turkey and... Read more
Missionary priest in Central African Republic injured in land mine explosion has foot amputated
Father Norberto Pozzi was injured when the car he was traveling in drove over a land mine, causing it to... Read more
Nigeria’s newest cardinal shares secret behind the highest Mass attendance in the world
Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke said Nigerian society as a whole has “a traditional worldview” that recognizes the presence of God... Read more
Meeting Pope Francis ‘a dream come true’ for South Sudanese youth
“We thought we were just going to go and see the pope. But actually it has turned in to something... Read more
Priest after earthquake in Syria: We have seen death before us
Greek Catholic priest Father Fadi Najjar related how he and his community have faced the devastation caused by the Feb.... Read more
Statue of Mary untouched in earthquake that demolished cathedral in Turkey
The image of Our Lady was unharmed in the quake that brought down Annunciation Cathedral in the city of Alexandretta... Read more
Catholic aid agencies respond after devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria
According to the latest available estimates as of midday Tuesday, the 7.8-magnitude quake has left at least 6,200 people dead... Read more
Pope Francis, Syriac Patriarch call for prayers after devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
The series of earthquakes — up to 7.8 magnitude — killed an estimated 1,700 people and injured thousands more, with... Read more
