Religious persecution

The Latest

A Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish procession honoring the patroness of Cuba on Sept. 7, 2023.

More Holy Week processions prohibited in Cuba

Mar 28, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The regime of President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Cuba has prohibited several Holy Week processions in different cities of the country. Read more

This photo taken on Jan. 15, 2024, shows a Chinese flag fluttering below a cross on a Christian church in Pingtan, in China's southeast Fujian province.

Government restrictions on religion reach ‘peak levels’ in latest Pew global survey

Mar 26, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Overall, China, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Algeria topped the report’s list of countries with “very high” government restrictions. Read more

Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo (left) and her husband, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega

Nicaraguan dictatorship trying to totally eradicate the faith, lawyer charges

Mar 20, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

With Holy Week just a few days away, Catholics in Nicaragua are preparing for religious celebrations in the midst of... Read more

United States Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, on his way to a vote in the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 2, 2021.

Sen. Marco Rubio demands Biden protect Catholic churches from attacks

Mar 6, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

“These attacks are not random nor are they the result of a temporary lapse in judgment by perpetrators,” Rubio, who... Read more

Bishop José Álvarez Lagos surrounded by police officers on Aug. 4, 2022.

Victims of persecution testify at International Religious Freedom Summit

Jan 31, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The two-day annual event includes speakers who faced religious persecution and government officials who work to promote religious freedom globally.  Read more

Daniel Ortega.

Despite persecution, ‘the Church is still alive in Nicaragua,’ priest says

Jan 30, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Despite being persecuted by Daniel Ortega’s regime for years, “the Church is still alive in Nicaragua,” a priest from the... Read more

null

Dictatorship in Nicaragua expels three priests; exiled bishop meets with Pope Francis

Jan 22, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Researcher Martha Patricia Molina reported that the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega expelled from Nicaragua three priests from the same... Read more

Margaret and Dominic Attah with Lord Alton and other parliamentarians on # RedWednesday 2023.

British Catholic politician demands justice for Christians killed in Nigeria at Christmas

Jan 22, 2024

By ACI Africa

Lord Alton of Liverpool called on the U.K. government to urgently address persecution in Nigeria, starting with last year’s Christmas... Read more

Daniel Ortega.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua cancels legal personhood of 10 Catholic and evangelical NGOs

Jan 19, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The measure affects 16 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), 10 of which are Catholic and evangelical institutions. Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matalgalpa, Nicaragua.

Nicaraguan dictatorship releases Bishop Álvarez, brother bishop, and priests

Jan 14, 2024

By David Ramos

The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega on Sunday released and sent to the Vatican two imprisoned Nicaraguan bishops along with 15... Read more

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, the archbishop of Managua, Nicaragua, on Jan. 6, 2024, ordained nine new priests in the midst of one of the worst waves of persecution against the Catholic Church in the country.

Ordination of 9 new priests represents hope for Church in Nicaragua

Jan 9, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes of Managua, Nicaragua, on Saturday ordained nine new priests in the midst of one of the worst... Read more

Janada Marcus, 22, was forced to flee Boko Haram with her family twice before the terrorists attacked them again, killing her father and kidnapping her.

New online database tracks attacks against Christians in real time

Jan 9, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The “Violent Incidents Database,” launched by Global Christian Relief on Jan. 5, tracks attacks on Christians and people of faith... Read more

A doctor carries out a medical examination of Bishop Rolando Álvarez  on Jan. 2, 2024.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua posts photos of Bishop Álvarez after U.S. calls for his release

Jan 3, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The dictatorship on Jan. 2 released recent images of the Bishop Rolando Álvarez shortly after the United States government demanded... Read more

Daniel Ortega/Bishop Silvio Báez.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua closes out 2023 with 2 bishops and 15 priests in custody

Jan 2, 2024

By David Ramos

Managua’s auxiliary bishop, Silvio José Báez, denounced the regime’s “relentless and abiding hatred of the Church.” Read more

A screen grab from a video shared with ACI Africa that shows the parish house at St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Catholic Church of the Diocese of Kafanchan in flames Sept. 7, 2023.

Here’s where Christians continued to face persecution in 2023

Dec 30, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Christians have been persecuted by adversarial groups since the time of the apostles, and in varied parts of the world... Read more

Cathedral of Managua, Nicaragua.

UPDATE: 4 priests arrested in 2 days by Nicaraguan dictatorship

Dec 29, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

“We can denote this last year as the year with the most attacks against the Catholic Church in the recent... Read more

Oregon resident Jessica Bates appealed a court’s ruling against her in a case alleging that the government is religiously discriminating against her by refusing to allow her to adopt children from the state system.

Oregon mother appeals court ruling in religious discrimination adoption case

Dec 28, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Jessica Bates filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s Department of Human Services earlier this year after she was denied... Read more

Polonia Castellanos, founder of the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers.

Spanish lawyer, mom of 4, challenges country’s rosary ban

Dec 8, 2023

By Martin Barillas

“There are plenty of times when the Virgin Mary has come to Spain’s aid,” Polonia Castellanos said, “and we are... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Witnesses testify to torture by Nicaraguan dictatorship at hearing on imprisoned Catholic bishop 

Dec 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Among the witnesses testifying at the hearing titled “An Urgent Appeal to Let Bishop Álvarez Go” were several Nicaraguan exiles.  Read more

Some photographs of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez disseminated by the dictatorship of Nicaragua in November 2023.

Nicaraguan dictatorship releases new photos, video of imprisoned Bishop Álvarez

Nov 30, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In response to demands for proof that Bishop Rolando Álvarez is still alive, Nicaraguan officials released new images of the... Read more