Middle East - Africa News

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

The bishop of Nigeria’s Diocese of Lokoja, Bishop Martin Dada Olorunmolu, has withdrawn ordination certificates to four men he ordained as deacons on July 12, 2024, after he was presented with documents claiming they were qualified for holy orders but were allegedly forged.

‘I was deceived’: Bishop in Nigeria revokes ordination of deacons due to fraud

Jul 31, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Bishop Martin Dada Olorunmolu was presented with documents showing the men were qualified for holy orders, but the papers were... Read more

Seminarians and their teachers at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Jos, Nigeria.

‘Survival mentality’ is impeding authentic formation in Africa’s seminaries, priest says

Jul 27, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Seminarians in Africa are not allowed “to be themselves” and must find ways “to get by,” a Catholic priest from... Read more

In a July 24, 2024, press release, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — a diocese that includes Jordan, Cyprus, Palestine, and Israel — announced that 40 tons of nonperishable food kits were delivered by Malteser International to a newly-established distribution center near the patriarchate’s compound in the region for people in northern Gaza.

Second round of aid delivered to Gaza by Latin Patriarchate and Order of Malta

Jul 26, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

The Latin Patriarchate and Sovereign Order of Malta signed the Memorandum of Understanding agreement in May, which aims to supply... Read more

The 2024 Synod of the Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq.

Chaldean bishops reject blessing of same-sex unions

Jul 25, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

The bishops of the Chaldean Synod on July 16 issued a statement declaring their position on the blessing of same-sex... Read more

Thousands turned out for a Eucharistic procession followed by the holy liturgy at the St. Charbel Hermitage and the monastery of St. Maroun Annaya on July 22, 2024.

The enduring faith of St. Charbel: Thousands celebrate in Lebanon

Jul 24, 2024

By Marguerita Kallassy

Celebrating St. Charbel’s feast day has been a beacon of hope for generations. Read more

A Christian woman stands next to a clothesline while taking refuge in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp at the Pilot Primary School after their houses were burnt as a result of religious strife in Mangu on Feb. 2, 2024, following weeks of intercommunal violence and unrest in the Plateau State.

Christian watchdog calls on U.S. to recognize persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Jul 23, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

“The outcry of Nigerian Christians is falling on deaf ears. It is time for the United States to answer their... Read more

Thousands of pilgrims are expected to participate in the 2024 pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Muxima scheduled to begin on Aug. 30 in Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Viana, Bishop Emílio Sumbelelo has said.

Thousands expected at annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Muxima Shrine in Angola

Jul 22, 2024

By João Vissesse

Thousands of pilgrims are expected to participate in the 2024 pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Muxima Aug.... Read more

Some young people from Gaza during study aid activities in a gazebo inside the compound of the Latin Parish of the Holy Family. Beginning June 10, 2024, about 150 children and teenagers ages 4 to 17 who are sheltering in the Latin parish and in the Orthodox parish have taken up their books and notebooks again to reconnect with their studies. Three gazebos in the garden host study groups. They were open-sided, but they have been closed to help the youth avoid distractions, as there are always people around.

Under patronage of St. Joseph, parish priest restarts schooling for students in Gaza

Jul 20, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The program had to be suspended for two weeks in July due to Israeli military action in Gaza City but... Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Crusader treasure unveiled: Medieval altar found in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulcher

Jul 17, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The groundbreaking discovery sheds new light on Crusader history, medieval Christian art, and the enduring significance of one of Christianity’s... Read more

A group of young people from the Apostolic Movement of Jish, led by Father Sandy Habib, during prayer before the meal on July 12, 2024, at the Maronite convent in Jerusalem. The aim is “bringing ourselves closer to Jesus,” Habib explained to CNA. “We try to achieve this through spiritual activities, social activities like trips, and by announcing Jesus Christ.”

Faith amid bombs: Priests minister to Christians in border towns of Lebanon and Israel

Jul 16, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Christian communities on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border have been put to the test since Hamas’ attack on Israel... Read more