Persecuted Christians

The Latest

A young boy refugee in Erbil, Iraq.

Crowdfunding campaign aims to raise $1 million for Iraqi Christians

Oct 22, 2014

A Catholic lay organization has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise awareness and money to help persecuted Christians and other... Read more

Two refugees at the Church of St. Joseph in Ankawa Erbil.

200,000 activists tell Europe: stand up for persecuted Christians

Oct 20, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

More than 200,000 people have signed a petition asking European leaders to offer “real help” for persecuted Christians and other... Read more

Cardinals pray together at a Feb. 22, 2014 consistory.

A Middle East without Christians - cardinals consider sad prospect

Oct 20, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Monday's consistory of cardinals focused on the plight of Christians in the Middle East, especially in light of the rise... Read more

 Fr. Ghazwan Yousif Baho speaks with CNA in Rome on Oct. 4, 2014.

Six miles from ISIS: A shockingly brave priest returns to Iraq

Oct 9, 2014

By Elise Harris

Father Ghazwan Yousif Baho had the option to stay in Italy when he recently accompanied an elderly Iraqi couple to... 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

Mubarak and Agnese Hano from Iraq at Mass with Pope Francis.

Iraqi couple finds courage in a Pope who suffers with them

Oct 1, 2014

By Elise Harris

An elderly couple who lost everything after fleeing their home due to ISIS violence met with Pope Francis on Sunday,... Read more

Naghmeh Abedini and family at the 2 yr anniversary of Pastor Saeed Abedini's imprisonment in Iran.

Hundreds gather as pastor's Iran imprisonment reaches two years

Sep 30, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Hundreds of advocates gathered Sept. 25 in Washington, D.C., to pray for the release of American pastor Saeed Abedini, who... Read more

Screenshot courtesy of Catholic Link.

'You are not alone': Social media campaign supports persecuted Christians

Sep 23, 2014

Thousands of believers have come together to offer support for persecuted Christians in the Middle East, inspired by the words... Read more

Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.

Defense of all persecuted believers highlighted at DC summit

Sep 16, 2014

By Matt Hadro

Support of religious freedom for all those being persecuted was reiterated at a conference in the nation’s capital following outcry... Read more

A young refugee rests after having fled from ISIS and arrived in Ankawa in the northern part of Erbil, Iraq.

Iraqis will be seen like early Christian martyrs, priest predicts

Sep 12, 2014

An Argentinian priest caring for the Catholic community in Baghdad says the faith of persecuted Iraqi Christians is moving and... Read more

Mario Joseph speaks with Cristina Cosado on an episode of Changing Tracks. Screenshot.

Former imam: God saved me from torture after Christian conversion

Sep 11, 2014

A former Muslim imam who converted to Christianity believes that God protected him from death threats and torture at the... Read more

Sen. Cruz's tense Middle East remarks prompt calls for Christian unity

Sep 11, 2014

Amid controversial remarks by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), Christian leaders at a historic ecumenical conference voiced the need for unity... Read more

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.

Despite violence, rumors of Nigeria split called a false alarm

Sep 8, 2014

By Elise Harris

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama spoke out in the wake of more violent attacks in Nigeria, noting that although fears are high,... Read more

The Interfaith Women's group in Lahore held a candlelight prayer service for victims of violence in Iraq and Gaza.

Interfaith women's group begs UN to act in Middle East

Sep 1, 2014

An inter-religious women’s group in Pakistan has appealed to the United Nations to offer support and protection for those suffering... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wed. general audience on April 16, 2014.

Pope Francis to Iraqi priest: I'll never leave or forget you

Sep 1, 2014

By Elise Harris

After sending a letter to Pope Francis on the plight Iraqi refugees fleeing ISIS violence, Fr. Behnam Benoka received a... Read more

   Protestors can take refuge and pray for peace in one of two tent-chapels on Maidan Square in Kiev.

Greek Catholics face hostility amid unrest in Ukraine

Aug 29, 2014

By Elise Harris

A bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church called for peace amid escalating conflict with pro-Russian separatists, stating that the... Read more

Christian refugees take refuge in Erbil, Iraq on August 9, 2014.

Iraqi refugees working to help each other survive

Aug 29, 2014

By Hillary Mast

Christians and other religious minorities who have fled areas in Iraq that have fallen under Islamic State control are now... Read more

Pope Francis greets Paul Bhatti and his mother in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Aug. 27, 2014.

Pakistani leader talks persecuted Christians with Pope Francis

Aug 29, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a brief encounter with Pope Francis following his general audience yesterday, former Pakistani minister Paul Bhatti discussed persecuted Christians... Read more

 Wael Farouq, professor of Arabic language at the American University of Cairo, Egypt at the Rimini Meeting Aug 27, 2014.

Muslim scholar decries violence: 'I am a Nazarene, too'

Aug 28, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Referring to the label “Nazarene” marked on houses of Christians in Iraq by the militant Islamic State, a Muslim scholar... Read more

A family at the Khazair checkpoint after fleeing from Mosul, Iraq on June 11, 2014.

Chilean lawmakers ask president to denounce Iraqi violence

Aug 26, 2014

The Chilean Congress has unanimously approved a measure calling on President Michelle Bachelet to condemn “the brutal persecution” of Christians... Read more