Middle East - Africa News

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

People look on as an excavator helps search for people trapped under debris after a landfill collapsed in Kampala, Uganda, on Aug. 10, 2024. Eight people including two children were killed when mountains of garbage collapsed at a landfill, the city authority said.

Garbage landslide kills nearly two dozen people in Uganda

Aug 12, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The 36-acre garbage dump known as Kiteezi is the only one serving the whole of the Ugandan capital, a city... Read more

The president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka.

South African bishop decries government inaction on alleged ISIS operations

Aug 12, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka said the group is destructive based on its activities in Mozambique and Nigeria. Read more

Two vehicles for the Spanish troop within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on the tense southern border of the country in August 2024.

Lebanon is on the brink of war: Where do the country’s Christians stand?

Aug 9, 2024

By ACI MENA

Christians are collectively refusing to support a war that could further devastate an already struggling country. Read more

Church leaders celebrate at a launch event ahead of ACI Africa’s five-year anniversary on Aug. 9 2024.

Catholic bishops, Church leaders in Africa laud ACI Africa ahead of its 5th anniversary

Aug 8, 2024

By ACI Africa

Church leaders and groups throughout Africa extended their congratulations to ACI Africa, a service of EWTN News based in Nairobi,... Read more

Father Martin Banni in front of St. Barbara’s Shrine carrying the Eucharist on Liberation Day in 2016.

Iraqi priest recounts night of exodus, ISIS invasion a decade later

Aug 7, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

For Father Martin Banni, pastor of St. Korkis Chaldean Church in Karamlesh, Iraq, the memories of Aug. 6, 2014, remain... Read more

An estimated 7,000 people gathered to celebrate the beatification of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy on Aug. 2, 2024, in Bkerké, Lebanon.

Maronite Church in Lebanon celebrates beatification of 17th-century scholar and patriarch

Aug 5, 2024

By Marguerita Kallassy

An estimated 7,000 people gathered on Aug. 2 in Bkerké, Lebanon, to celebrate the beatification of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy.  Read more

Pope Francis on Aug. 1, 2024, appointed Bishop Estêvão Binga to lead the newly established Diocese of Ganda in Angola.

Pope Francis establishes new diocese in Angola, appoints its first bishop

Aug 2, 2024

By João Vissesse

Pope Francis has established a new diocese in Angloa — the Diocese of Ganda — and appointed Bishop Estêvão Binga... Read more

The preparation of the crane at the Tower of Our Lady of the East to install the statue of the Virgin Mary on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2024.

Between earth and sky: ‘Lady of the East’ statue rises in Syria

Aug 1, 2024

By Souhail Lawand

A new landmark honoring the Virgin Mary will be inaugurated in a grand celebration Aug. 1–4 in the town of... Read more