Middle East - Africa News

Massacre in Plateau, Nigeria, on Dec. 24, 2023.

Nearly 150 Catholic priests kidnapped across Nigeria in past decade, at least 11 killed

Mar 13, 2025

By Agnes Aineah

A report published March 12 by Agenzia Fides shows that of the 145 Catholic priests kidnapped in Nigeria between 2015... Read more

Members of security forces loyal to the interim Syrian government hold up their firearms as they stand by the Mediterranean sea coast in Syria’s western city of Latakia on March 9, 2025. Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for national unity and peace on March 9 amid growing international backlash following the killing of civilians along the country’s coast in the worst violence since the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad in the heartland of the Alawite minority, to which the latter belongs.

Syrian patriarchs condemn massacres as sectarian violence escalates on Syria’s coast

Mar 11, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

In a joint statement issued March 8, the patriarchs of Syria condemned acts that threaten civil peace and denounced the... Read more

Democratic Republic of Congo Republican Guard soldiers walk in the streets of Kinshasa on March 1, 2025. As the M23 fighters continue their offensive in eastern DR Congo, hundreds of soldiers from the Republican Guard walk the streets of Kinshasa in a show of force.

Caritas Internationalis warns violence in Democratic Republic of Congo may become regional

Mar 8, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

At the 58th regular session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Caritas Internationalis highlighted the widespread effects of the conflict... Read more

Group photo in front of the Church of the Sacred Family in Gaza during the visit of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on Dec. 22, 2024.

Christians in Gaza: ‘The ceasefire has made the situation even worse’

Mar 7, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Here are some of the major stories about the Church around the world that you may have missed over the... Read more

Father Sylvester Okechukwu of the Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria was found murdered on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Nigerian diocese pays tribute to priest who was murdered on Ash Wednesday

Mar 6, 2025

By Agnes Aineah

According to the information provided by the Diocese of Kafanchan, Okechukwu was kidnapped from his residence at about 9:15 p.m.... Read more

An unknown security guard stands at the entrance of a church destroyed during the fighting with ISIS in Mosul, Iraq.

EWTN News documentary chronicles Iraq’s Christian history and ISIS impact

Mar 1, 2025

By Georgena Habbaba

Persecuted Christians in Iraq: An EWTN News Special” delves into the roots of Christianity in Iraq and its history dating... Read more

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO).

Catholic priests, religious brother attacked at Mozambique archdiocesan training center

Feb 27, 2025

By ACI Africa

An attack on the Nazaré Training Center in Mozambique’s Archdiocese of Beira on Sunday left two priests and a religious... Read more

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III exits the Aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on May 4, 2024, in Jerusalem, showing the faithful the two candles just lit from the oil lamp that is believed to have been miraculously ignited inside Jesus' tomb.

Patriarch of Jerusalem discusses Holy Land at screening of film on Palestinian Christians

Feb 24, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The film “Via Dolorosa” depicts the Christian presence in Palestine and is narrated through the eyes of Christians there, capturing... Read more

North and South Kivu have been embroiled in armed conflict for years.

Locals call for prayer as 70 bodies found in Democratic Republic of Congo church after attack

Feb 23, 2025

By Sabrine Amboka

Local sources contacted by Aid to the Church in Need said the killings took place between Feb. 12 and Feb.... Read more

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for “racial reconciliation” in response to ongoing land reform disputes between South Africa and the United States government.

Bishops in South Africa urge racial healing as Trump condemns country’s land policy

Feb 21, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for “racial reconciliation” in response to ongoing tension between South Africa and... Read more

Pope Francis meets the Catholic bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo on his final day in Kinshasa on Feb. 3, 2023.

Democratic Republic of Congo bishops stress need for ceasefire, dialogue, and human dignity

Feb 12, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

Leaders of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar have appealed for action for victims of violence in... Read more

German theologian and journalist Matthias Kopp — spokesman for the German Bishops’ Conference and a consultant to the Vatican Dicastery for Communication — was in Iraq this past week to present his new book, “The Christian Legacy in Iraq.”

German theologian and journalist explores the legacy of Iraq’s Christians

Feb 8, 2025

By Rody Sher

German theologian and journalist Matthias Kopp was in Iraq this week to present his new book, “The Christian Legacy in... Read more

A poster announces a campaign organized by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) to end human trafficking.

St. Josephine Bakhita’s feast day marks anti-human trafficking campaign launch in Africa

Feb 8, 2025

By Agnes Aineah

The campaign, which begins on Feb. 8, the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, is designated for prayer and awareness... Read more

In a Jan. 29, 2025, report, the leadership of the aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales said the situation in Goma has worsened due to escalating conflict, underscoring the need for a heightened humanitarian response.

As fighting rages on in Eastern DR Congo, Catholic charity steps up humanitarian response

Feb 2, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

In a Jan. 29 report, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development urged the international community to acknowledge the crisis in... Read more

Father Hyacinth Ementa Ichoku.

Journalists in Nigeria urged to speak up, expose all forms of Christian persecution

Jan 31, 2025

By Abah Anthony John

A priest in the Awka Diocese in Nigeria has encouraged journalists to expose Christian persecution, which is at its highest... Read more

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti presides over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Paul’s Shrine in Tabbaleh, Damascus, on Jan. 25, 2025.

Vatican’s first envoy to postwar Syria sees a nation with ‘a desire for life’

Jan 29, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

The occasion marked the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the feast of the Conversion of... Read more

Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land, stops at the Eighth Station of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem during the Good Friday Via Crucis on March 29, 2024.

PHOTOS: Challenges and triumphs: The custos of the Holy Land reflects on 9 years

Jan 28, 2025

By Marinella Bandini

As he gets ready to retire, Father Francesco Patton talks to CNA about his years leading the Custody of the... Read more

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin.

Catholic bishops appeal for calm ahead of Benin’s 2026 elections

Jan 18, 2025

By Sabrine Amboka

In a statement issued Jan. 10, Benin’s Catholic bishops said that diversity in opinions should be a “source of strength”... Read more

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, speaks with Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Church, during his December 2024 visit to Gaza.

Cardinal Pizzaballa on truce between Israel and Hamas: ‘It was absolutely necessary’

Jan 17, 2025

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that in the Holy Land “people are happy because this war has worn us down, exhausted... Read more

A soldier passes by a wall covered with photos of hostages held by Hamas after the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack in a Tel Aviv train station on Jan. 14, 2025, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal in Gaza, includes hostage release

Jan 15, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt after 15 months of war, the agreement could be implemented as early... Read more