Middle East - Africa News

A family at the Khazair checkpoint after fleeing Mosul.

Iraqi abbot calls for action to ensure local Christians' future

Jul 24, 2014

Following the effective expulsion of Christians from the city of Mosul by Islamists last week, a prominent local abbot has... Read more

Empty Bullet Casings.

In deadly conflict, Boko Haram captures key Nigerian town

Jul 23, 2014

Islamic militant group Boko Haram has taken control of the northeastern Nigeria town of Damboa in a July 18 attack... Read more

Louis Raphael I Sako, Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon.

Iraq faces 'historic catastrophe', Chaldean patriarch warns

Jul 22, 2014

The Chaldean patriarch has urged Iraq to turn away from its current path, warning that the new policies of Islamist... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of the Chaldean Archeparchy of Erbil, whither many Christians from Mosul have fled in recent weeks.

Iraqi bishop urges prayer as Christians expelled from Mosul

Jul 21, 2014

By Kate Veik

On the eve of an ultimatum issued by Islamists to Christians in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the Chaldean bishop... Read more

Gaza hit by Israeli airstrikes.

Amid violence, priest opts to stay with parishioners in Gaza

Jul 20, 2014

Argentinean priest Father Jorge Hernandez, pastor of Holy Family Parish in the Gaza strip, has decided to stay with his... Read more

An Israeli tank moves positions near the Israeli-Gaza border the morning of July 18, 2014 near Sderot, Israel. Late last night Israel sent troops into Gaza.

Despite Gaza violence, Catholic relief agency works for peace

Jul 18, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

Though fighting has escalated between Israel and Palestinian militants based in the Gaza Strip, a Catholic Relief Services spokeswoman has... Read more

Chaldean Archbishops of Erbil and Kirkuk, Bashar Warda and Yousif Mirkis.

Christians disappearing from Iraq, bishops lament

Jul 14, 2014

Two Iraqi archbishops are seeking “faith and hope” in Iraq, while bewailing the continuing exodus of Christians from the country... Read more

Bishop Edward Kussala of Tombura-Yambio.

Ibrahim case reflects deeper problems in Sudan, says bishop

Jul 14, 2014

The “disgraceful case” of Sudanese Christian Meriam Ibrahim is only one of many examples of discrimination and harassment faced by... Read more

Indian migrants pray in the Holy Land.

Catholics in Holy Land pray for peace, reconciliation

Jul 11, 2014

Under the back and forth of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets, concerned Catholic migrants from India are praying for peace... Read more

Meriam Ibrahim (R) is pictured in this undated image with her husband Daniel Wani.

Sudanese Christian woman released again

Jun 27, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Meriam Ibrahim – a Christian woman who had previously been sentenced to death in Sudan for her faith – has... Read more

Meriam Ibrahim (R) is pictured in this undated image with her husband Daniel Wani.

Release of Christian woman in Sudan draws gratitude, praise

Jun 23, 2014

Family members and religious liberty advocates are applauding the news that a Sudanese woman's death sentence for refusing to denounce... Read more

Archbishop Jean Sleiman of Baghdad.

Christians, Shias face uncertain future in face of Iraqi violence

Jun 17, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

In the midst of advances by Sunni insurgents, Iraq’s remaining Christian community  and the country’s majority- Shia population face threats... Read more

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

Catholic archbishop aids Muslim refugees in Central African Republic

Jun 16, 2014

A Catholic archbishop in the violence-ridden Central African Republic recently reached out to a group of 600 Muslim refugees, saying... Read more

Meriam Ibrahim (R) is pictured in this undated image with her husband Daniel Wani.

Sudan archdiocese speaks out for condemned Catholic woman

Jun 11, 2014

The Catholic Archdiocese of Khartoum has urged Sudanese authorities to review the legal case of Meriam Ibrahim, a Catholic woman... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of the Chaldean Archeparchy of Arbil.

Church in Iraqi Kurdistan challenged by influx of migrants

Jun 9, 2014

Iraq's Kurdistan region is enjoying peace relative to the rest of the country, which has led thousands of Christian families... Read more

Islamist militia in Central African Republic. Photo courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need.

Central African Republic still seeking peace amid violent attacks

Jun 8, 2014

Following continued attacks on churches in the Central African Republic, the country still looks forward to a return to a... Read more

Fr. Alexis Prem Kumar, SJ. Photo courtesy of Jesuit Refugee Service.

Suspects arrested over abduction of Jesuit in Afghanistan

Jun 5, 2014

An Afghan official stated Thursday that three Taliban members have been arrested and questioned over Monday's kidnapping, near Herat, of... Read more

Patriarch Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Latin patriarch dedicates church at Magdala Center

Jun 4, 2014

Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem has consecrated a church at the inauguration of the Magdala Center, an archaeological park... Read more

Bishop Adel Zaky of the Vicariate Apostolic of Alexandria.

Egyptian election gives hope to Christians, bishop says

Jun 3, 2014

Egypt's Roman Catholic bishop has welcomed the election of Abdel Fattah El Sisi as the country’s new president, saying his... Read more

Meriam Ibrahim (R) is pictured in this undated image with her husband Daniel Wani.

Husband of condemned Sudanese woman reiterates commitment

May 31, 2014

The husband of Meriam Ibrahim, a Sudanese Christian woman sentenced to death for allegedly abandoning Islam, says his wife is... Read more