Middle East - Africa News

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was reportedly abducted from Nigeria’s Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17, 2023.

Abducted priest in Nigeria released, diocese ‘grateful’

Sep 25, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide, a parish priest at St. Mary Amofia-Agu Affa Parish in the Enugu Diocese, was set free... Read more

Father Paul Sanogo (left) and seminarian Melchior Maharini, who were kidnapped from their community of Missionaries of Africa in Nigeria’s Diocese of Minna on Aug. 3, 2023, said the terrifying experience helped their faith grow stronger.

‘We came back stronger’: Priest, seminarian abducted in Nigeria recall three-week ordeal

Sep 22, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

“When the men took us, I had so much fear in my heart, thinking of the worst that could happen... Read more

A group of women and children guarded by security forces in Mucimboa da Praia of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province in early September 2023.

Catholic peace organization condemns sexual enslavement of Mozambican Christians

Sep 21, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

In an interview with ACI Africa, the director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute confirmed reports of a leaked Islamic... Read more

A road in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Human rights group to Nigeria security agents after priest’s kidnapping: ‘Act or resign’

Sep 20, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law has condemned the Sept. 16-17 kidnapping of more than 30... Read more

At least 11 people were killed Sept. 15, 2023, after members of the Islamic State attacked a village in Mozambique and opened fire on Christians after hand-picking them from Muslims, the Catholic pontifical and charity foundation Aid to the Church in Need International reported.

11 killed as Islamist jihadists reportedly target Christians in Mozambican village

Sep 20, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

After separating the Christians from the Muslims, “they opened fire on the Christians,” a Sept. 18 Aid to the Church... Read more

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was reportedly abducted from Nigeria’s Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17, 2023.

Nigerian diocese calls for prayers for kidnapped priest

Sep 19, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was on his way back to his parish in the Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17 when... Read more

The new Bishop Hanna Jallouf, OFM, walks down the center aisle of St. Francis Church in Aleppo, Syrian, after his episcopal ordination, Sept. 17, 2023.

Franciscan friar in Syria becomes bishop of Latin-rite Catholics in Aleppo 

Sep 18, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

On Sunday, Sept. 17, Father Hanna Jallouf, OFM, was ordained a bishop and became apostolic vicar of Aleppo for the... Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

New discoveries may change what we know about Jerusalem’s Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher

Sep 17, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

Ongoing archaeological investigations have now allowed scientists to trace “the entire material history of the religious complex.”  Read more

A man carries donated bedding on Sept. 13, 2023, past buildings that were ruined in the Sept. 8 earthquake in Ardouz, Morocco.

Catholic leader in Morocco: It may take years to rebuild after earthquake 

Sep 13, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake, which hit near the historic city of Marrakesh Friday night, has killed more than 2,900 people as... Read more

People look at the damage caused by flash floods in Derna, eastern Libya, on Sept. 11, 2023.

Floods in Libya reportedly kill up to 10,000; pope ‘deeply saddened,’ offers prayers

Sep 12, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The pope “sends the assurance of his prayers for the souls of the deceased and all who mourn,” said a... Read more

A woman reacts standing in front of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakesh on Sept. 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late Sept. 8 killed more than 1,000 people, the government said on Sept. 9, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night.

Major earthquake in Morocco kills more than 1,000

Sep 9, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis offered the country his “prayerful communion in the face of this natural disaster.” Read more

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on the night of Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Seminarian in Nigeria burned alive in botched kidnapping 

Sep 8, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on Thursday, Sept. 7, and set the rectory... Read more

Bishop John Patrick Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix visited the African nations of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya in August 2023 for a tour of projects connected to the U.S. bishops’ conference’s Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa.

Family life, ‘bonding together’ behind spread of Christianity in Africa, U.S. bishop says

Aug 29, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Bishop John Patrick Dolan of Phoenix returned from a 12-day trip to the African countries of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya... Read more

A map of Nigeria.

Nigerian teen whose Christian conversion triggered death threats granted restraining order

Aug 28, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Following threats by family members, the young woman sought a restraining order against her father and brothers. Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, pictured before his appointment as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Credit: Cristian Gennari/OESSH.

Interview with Jerusalem Patriarch Pizzaballa: Christians face coexistence problems, not persecution

Aug 26, 2023

By Elias Turk

“The overwhelming majority of the Israeli population, more than 90%, has nothing to do with [the attacks on Christians],” Pizzaballa... Read more

Seminarian David Igba during a pastoral visit at Scared Heart Udei of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria.

Seminarian in Nigeria narrowly escapes shooting by Islamist Fulani attackers

Aug 24, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

David Igba was traveling with two others when their car was sprayed with bullets by a group of gun-wielding Fulani... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (middle) and apostolic nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen (left), are received in the Diocese of Rumbek by Bishop Christian Carlassare (right) on Aug. 17, 2023.

‘Fear is driven out by perfect love,’ Vatican secretary of state tells South Sudanese

Aug 21, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

“Jesus Christ dispelled every lingering doubt and distress,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on the last day of his four-day visit... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin addresses returnees and refugees at their camp in the Diocese of Malakal in South Sudan Aug. 15, 2023.

Vatican secretary of state pledges solidarity with refugees, returnees from Sudan

Aug 18, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

“We feel very sorry for … what happened to you in Sudan,” the cardinal said, adding: “We can do something... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin meets with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Aug. 14, 2023, in Juba, South Sudan.

Vatican official urges South Sudanese to remain committed to peace and reconciliation

Aug 16, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

“Embrace the spirit of peace and reconciliation in order to build a harmonious society in the country,” said Cardinal Pietro... Read more

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin receives Cardinal Pietro Parolin upon the cardinal’s arrival in Juba, South Sudan, Aug. 14, 2023.

Vatican secretary of state to meet refugees from Sudan in four-day visit to South Sudan

Aug 15, 2023

By Kerbino Kuel Deng

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived in South Sudan on Monday, Aug. 14, to meet people fleeing violence... Read more