Middle East - Africa News

A refugee camp in Gaza houses those displaced by the war.

Virtually no aid has reached Gaza for over 40 days, CRS says

Nov 27, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

A nearly two-month blockage of supplies into parts of northern Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is hampering the aid... Read more

The late Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, the oldest priest in Nigeria, who died on the feast of Christ the King, Nov. 24, 2024, at the age of 104.

Oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria dies at 104

Nov 26, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Thomas Oleghe, the oldest priest in Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 104. Read more

Nigerian priests Father George Ehusani, founder of the Psycho-Spiritual Institute (PSI) and executive director of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, and Father Hyacinth Ichoku, the vice chancellor of  Veritas University Abuja, expressed grave concern about the worsening security situation in Nigeria, noting recent activities by the less-known Lakurawa jihadist group in the country’s northwest region.

‘We are in trouble’: Catholic priests lament another jihadist group making inroads in Nigeria

Nov 25, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Two Catholic priests from Nigeria have expressed grave concern about the worsening security situation in the West African nation. Read more

Pope Francis welcomes Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III to the Vatican on Nov. 9, 2024.

The Assyrian-Catholic bond: a model of unity despite differences

Nov 24, 2024

By Rody Sher

Mar Awa III of the Assyrian Church of the East called Francis’ decision to include St. Isaac of Nineveh in... Read more

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Nairobi Archdiocese in Kenya.

Nairobi archbishop declines Kenyan president’s donations to Catholic parish

Nov 20, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Archbishop Philip Anyolo Subira has declined the equivalent of $38,500 that Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto offered to a parish... Read more

Memorial tree in Mayfouk, Lebanon, in remembrance of Christians killed in the Lebanese civil war.

Red Wednesday in the Land of the Martyrs 

Nov 20, 2024

By Alberto M. Fernández

Nov. 20 marks Red Wednesday, a growing effort to show solidarity with the suffering Church.   Read more

President Donald J. Trump is joined by legislators and Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil-Kurdistan, Iraq, left, as he signs H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018 on Dec. 11, 2018, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Chaldean archbishop voices hope for peace under new U.S. administration

Nov 11, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, head of the Chaldean Eparchy of Erbil, has expressed hope that the new U.S. president will... Read more

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Nigerian Diocese of Makurdi in Benue state at a breakfast at Capitol Hill organized by Aid to the Church in Need, Jan. 30, 2024.

Over 15 Catholic parishes close amid ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria

Nov 8, 2024

By Abah Anthony John

Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe has called for action to address escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Benue state, which has led to... Read more

Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena on Nov. 4, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Trump’s return: Lebanese Christian politicians eye peace, security, and U.S. support

Nov 8, 2024

By Romy Haber

Here’s what leading Lebanese Christian politicians are saying about Donald Trump’s reelection. Read more

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi was abducted on Oct. 27, 2024, and regained his freedom after 10 days.

Rector of minor seminary in Nigeria released after 10-day captivity

Nov 7, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi who was abducted Oct.... Read more

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFM Cap, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), speaks at a press briefing for the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican on Oct. 24, 2024.

Cardinal raises questions on ‘hasty beatification’ plans for King Baudouin of Belgium

Nov 5, 2024

By ACI Africa

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo raised a “red flag” about the pope’s announcement in Belgium about opening the beatification cause of King... Read more

“They have such trust that you even often hear the displaced Muslim people say: ‘It’s your cross which will protect us!’” said Mother Joselyne Joumaa, superior general of the convent of the Sisters of Good Help in Lebanon, which has opened its doors to welcome more than 800 people who have been displaced by Israeli bombing.

Muslim refugees receive ‘shelter and support’ at nuns’ convent in Lebanon

Oct 29, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

According to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need, these nuns work to offer refugees “not only shelter,... Read more

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi, was abducted on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, when gunmen attacked the seminary located in Edo State in the country’s embattled central southern region.

Seminary rector kidnapped during evening prayers at Nigerian minor seminary

Oct 29, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Father Thomas Oyode was kidnapped around 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 during evening prayers and Benediction at the seminary. Read more

Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, Lebanon, where a towering statue of the Virgin Mary overlooks the Mediterranean.

10 things to know about the Catholic Church in Lebanon

Oct 26, 2024

By Romy Haber

In 1989, Pope John Paul II issued an apostolic letter warning that “the disappearance of Lebanon would be one of... Read more

Burkinabé soldiers patrol in Ouagadougou after the January 2022 coup.

Persecution of Christians worldwide has gotten worse, papal charity report says

Oct 22, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The Aid to the Church in Need report, which covers August 2022 to June 2024, states that human rights violations... Read more

When asked what Christians can do outside the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa responded: “Pray and support. Support the Christian community as much as they can.”

Jerusalem cardinal: Two-state solution to end Israel-Hamas war is now ‘unrealistic’

Oct 21, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa indicated that for now a two-state solution to end the war between Israel and Hamas in the... Read more

The apostolic vicar for Southern Arabia, Bishop Paolo Martinelli.

Catholic leader promotes interfaith unity through charity work in Yemen

Oct 21, 2024

By ACI MENA

Bishop Paolo Martinelli, who serves as the apostolic vicar for Southern Arabia, emphasized the special importance of interfaith dialogue in... 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.

Islamic terrorists massacre 150 in Burkina Faso

Oct 19, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

More than 150 people, including many Christians, were massacred by Islamic terrorists in Burkina Faso, sources told Aid to the... Read more

Smoke billows during air strikes in central Khartoum as the Sudanese army attacks positions held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) throughout the Sudanese capital on Oct. 12, 2024.

Christian foundation decries ‘widespread, systematic’ forceful conversion to Islam in Sudan

Oct 18, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

Christian Solidarity Worldwide condemned the detention of the 12 and the forceful conversion of Christians to Islam in various Sudanese... Read more

A symposium was held Oct. 11-12 , 2024, on the occasion of 200th anniversary of Blessed Anne-Catherine Emmerich’s death and the 20th anniversary of her beatification in Izmir, Turkey.

Symposium in Turkey held for the bicentenary of Blessed Anne-Catherine Emmerich’s death

Oct 15, 2024

By Nathalie Ritzmann

Dozens gathered from across the world to mark the 200th anniversary of Blessed Anne-Catherine Emmerich’s death and the 20th anniversary... Read more