Persecuted Christians

The Latest

\Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

After Catholic church bombing, Nigerians call for security

Nov 1, 2012

Following the deadly suicide bombing on a Catholic Church in north Nigeria, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of... Read more

The entrance to María Auxiliadora School in Mérida, Spain.

Spanish youths attack Catholic school, threaten to burn priests alive

Oct 19, 2012

A group of young people shouting, “Where are the priests? We’re going to burn them at the stake,” attacked the... Read more

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and Bishop Richard E. Pates.

US bishops offer condolences, support after Nigeria church bombing

Sep 28, 2012

Leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offered their support to the Church in Nigeria after a suicide car... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith speaks at an April 2012 press conference.

House passes bill to promote human rights in Vietnam

Sep 18, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

A bill to encourage freedom and respect for human rights, including religious liberty, in communist-run Vietnam was approved by the... Read more

Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

New cathedral consecrated for post-Soviet Kazakhstan

Sep 10, 2012

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima was consecrated in the city of Karaganda in Kazakhstan on Sunday, marking the... Read more

CNA

Pakistani teen released on bail in blasphemy case

Sep 10, 2012

A 14-year-old Christian girl with Down's syndrome who has been held on suspicion of burning pages of the Quran was... Read more

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in prison.

Iranian pastor freed after three years, acquitted of apostasy charges

Sep 10, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Amid continued pressure from the international community, Christian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani has been released from an Iranian prison after nearly... Read more

CNA

Girl with Down syndrome granted bail in blasphemy case

Sep 7, 2012

A judge granted bail on Friday, Sept. 7 to a 14-year-old Christian girl with Down syndrome who has been held... Read more

Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk.

Iraqi archbishop: make Christian survival focus of papal meeting

Sep 7, 2012

Iraqi Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk has asked the Catholic patriarchs and bishops of the Middle East to speak with... Read more

CNA

Imam allegedly faked evidence in Pakistan blasphemy case

Sep 5, 2012

Several witnesses have charged that a Muslim cleric fabricated evidence against a Down syndrome Christian girl accused of violating Pakistan’s... Read more

CNA

Vatican defends child with Down syndrome accused of burning Quran

Aug 28, 2012

The head of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue has voiced support for a Christian girl with Down syndrome in... Read more

CNA

Thousands of Christians trapped in Syrian village

Aug 25, 2012

By Kevin J. Jones

Syrian rebel forces have trapped over 12,000 Greek Catholics in a village near the Lebanese border, causing shortages of food,... Read more

Two more Iranian pastors imprisoned for Christian faith

Aug 7, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Two Christian pastors in Iran have been put in prison and are “facing grave danger” due to their faith, said... Read more

CNA

Congressional hearing examines violence against Christians in Nigeria

Jul 17, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Witnesses at a recent Congressional subcommittee hearing discussed continuing attacks by terrorists in Nigeria and ways that the United States... Read more

Coptic Catholic Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina.

Egyptian bishop hopes next president will protect Christians

May 29, 2012

The Egyptian elections are causing serious doubts among the country's Christians about whether the next president will protect their rights,... Read more

Victims of the Punjab government's land seizure inspect the destruction of their family homes in Lahore, Pakistan.

Pakistani bishop decries government land grab

May 26, 2012

Pakistani Bishop Sebastian F. Shaw is calling for the return of Church land that was seized after the provincial government... Read more