Middle East - Africa News

Joseph Kabila, who has been president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2001, and is seeking to remove his constitutional term limit.

For DRC bishops, end to president's term limit would be 'a step backward'

Oct 22, 2014

Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines has written to the US state department urging that it support efforts of the... Read more

An Ebola clinic in Liberia's capital, Monrovia, which opened Aug. 17, 2014.

After surviving Ebola, Liberians have another challenge - marginalization

Oct 21, 2014

"How is it that we have again become the marginalized of the earth?" That is what people ask Bishop Anthony... Read more

A family of Christian refugees in Iraq who are taking shelter at the Syriac Catholic Mrtshmony Shrine in Erbil.

Hard winter looms for Iraq's 'betrayed' Christian refugees

Oct 18, 2014

Despite efforts by northern Iraq’s Catholic bishops to ensure that Christians and other refugees can survive the winter, housing shortages... Read more

Deborah Peters, a survivor of a Boko Haram attack in 2011.

Will Boko Haram honor a ceasefire? Probably not.

Oct 17, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

A reputed ceasefire and agreement to return scores of abducted schoolgirls in Nigeria merit skepticism given Boko Haram’s violent ideology... Read more

Displaced persons in the Central African Republic received aid from CRS in May 2014.

Violence subsides in Central African capital, but what next?

Oct 14, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

Violence has subsided in the Central African Republic’s capital of Bangui after a week of conflict, but the lack of... Read more

Sister Maria of Nazareth, who moved to Aleppo, Syria, two months ago to minister to local Christians.

'Our Church is in danger': Catholics in Aleppo, Homs

Oct 9, 2014

By Oliver Maksan

Sister Maria of Nazareth has committed herself to an extraordinary mission. The Argentine nun from the Institute of the Incarnate... Read more

A burned mattress upon which an Ebola patient had laid during his illness in a West African village during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

For Liberia's faithful, only Christ offers hope amid Ebola panic

Oct 9, 2014

With hundreds dead from the devastating Ebola virus and no signs of relief on the horizon, one archbishop in Liberia... Read more

Fr. Hanna Jallouf, O.F.M., who was released Oct. 9 a few days after having been abucted in Qunaya, Syria. Photo courtesy of Custodia Terrae Sanctae.

Kidnapped Franciscan priest in Syria released by militants

Oct 9, 2014

The Custody of the Holy Land announced Thursday that the Franciscan priest who was abducted in Syria by rebels over... Read more

Children in the Church of St. Josef in Ankawa, Erbil in Iraq.

Iraq has done 'absolutely nothing' for displaced Christians

Oct 8, 2014

An Iraqi bishop whose community is hosting more than 70,000 Christians who fled violence in Mosul and its surroundings has... Read more

Fr. Hanna Jallouf, O.F.M., who was abducted Oct. 5 along with some 20 villagers from Qunaya, Syria. Photo courtesy of Custodia Terrae Sanctae.

Franciscan priest, Christian villagers abducted by Syrian militants

Oct 7, 2014

Militants linked to al-Nusra Front kidnapped a Catholic parish priest and as many as 20 people from a Christian village... Read more

Bishop Bruno Ateba of the Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo in Cameroon.

Armed guards escort Cameroon missionaries amid terror attacks

Oct 7, 2014

Boko Haram terrorist activity spreading into Cameroon from northeastern Nigeria has caused local Catholic missionaries to increase security, but one... Read more