Persecuted Christians

The Latest

Cross of the Martyrs.

Mass grave of Christians killed by Islamic State found in Libya

Dec 28, 2018

A mass grave of 34 Ethiopian Christians executed by the so-called Islamic State group in 2015 has reportedly been unearthed... Read more

Iran, China detain hundreds of Christians

Dec 11, 2018

While religious leaders marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this week by saying that more... Read more

Report: 'Aggressive nationalism' fueling threats to religious minorities

Nov 26, 2018

“Aggressive nationalism” is a principal driver of violence and intimidation targeting religious minorities in certain parts of the world, according... Read more

Sudan Christians released after arrest, torture for converting from Islam

Nov 15, 2018

A group of 13 Christian converts in Darfur, Sudan was arrested and tortured last month for their faith, World Watch... Read more

Supporters of the religious political party, chant slogans during a protest following the Supreme Court decision on Asia Bibi, Lahore, November 2, 2018.

Pakistan government reportedly adding Asia Bibi to 'no exit' list

Nov 2, 2018

Following an outbreak of protests in Pakistan in response the acquittal of Asia Bibi on charges of blasphemy, the government... Read more

Icon of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians, presented at the Knight of Columbus convention.

Knights of Columbus pledge support for persecuted Christians

Aug 7, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson pledged the fraternal organization’s continued efforts to aid and rebuild persecuted Christian communities... Read more

Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, speaks at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 26, 2012.

Pakistani prime minister candidate endorses blasphemy laws

Jul 10, 2018

A candidate for prime minister in Pakistan’s upcoming general election has defended the country’s controversial blasphemy laws, which have been... Read more

Nigeria's bishops call for processions to honor those killed in church attack

May 16, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Nigeria’s Catholic bishops have called on each of the nation’s dioceses to organize peaceful processions May 22 in solidarity with... Read more

Hartford archdiocese, Knights of Columbus partner to aid Islamic State victims

Apr 18, 2018

In a partnership with the Knights of Columbus, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Hartford are fundraising money to aid the... Read more

Chinese president Xi Jinping at a press conference after a meeting with the German chancellor in Berlin, July 5, 2017.

With lifelong rule by Xi Jinping, how will Christians fare in China?

Mar 6, 2018

By Courtney Mares

This month’s meeting of China’s National People’s Congress, convened March 5, will likely confirm a constitutional change eliminating term limits... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil speaks at Georgetown University on Feb. 15.

Archbishop of Erbil: Christians in Iraq are ‘scourged, wounded, but still there’

Feb 19, 2018

By Courtney Mares

The Chaldean Archbishop spoke of the state of Christianity in Iraq today and what both Muslim and Western leaders can... Read more

Colosseum to be lit red for persecuted Christians

Feb 7, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Roman Colosseum will be illuminated by red lights later this month to draw attention to the persecution of Christians... Read more

Rejoice James, who survived a March 2017 attack on her village by Fulani herdsmen. Photo courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need.

In Nigeria, brutal attacks and a story of survival

Jan 27, 2018

It is common in Nigeria that nomadic herdsmen clash with farmers over the use of land. However, in the past... Read more

Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence in Israel: US is committed to persecuted Christians, peace process

Jan 23, 2018

By Courtney Mares

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reaffirmed America’s commitment to both peace and persecuted Christians during his four-day trip to Israel... Read more

Helda Khalid Jacob Hindi, who was able recently to return with her family to their home of Qaraqosh, Iraq.

On Iraq’s Nineveh Plains, a ten-year-old girl dares to dream again

Jan 18, 2018

Ten-year old Helda Khalid Jacob Hindi, a fifth-grader, is not at a loss for words. She is passionate about her... Read more

Children at Sharia Al Haman Hope Refugee Camp in Duhok, Iraq on March 28, 2015.

Dominican sisters help educate Iraqi children returning home

Jan 10, 2018

When Iraqi residents fled their homes during the Islamic State invasion, they left behind their houses, neighbors, and day-to-day lives.  Read more

December 29, 2017 protests in Kermanshah, Iran. Public Domain via Wikimedia.

Could Iranian protests bring religious freedom for Christians?

Jan 2, 2018

Ongoing protests in Iran could be a sign of hope for repressed religious minorities, if protesters demand that conscience rights... Read more

Documents from a CUA research trip to to Urmia, Van, and Mosul. Courtesy of The Catholic University of America.

Saving ancient Christian cultures…one story at a time

Dec 29, 2017

By Adelaide Mena

Ancient artifacts. Centuries-old legends. Prayers dating back to the time of Christ. An enemy seeking to destroy it all. And... Read more

Preserving Pluralism and Diversity in the Nineveh Region conference.

Archbishop to UN: Christians are critical to Iraq’s future

Dec 4, 2017

A UN panel met last week to discuss the aftermath of the Islamic State’s occupation in Iraq’s Nineveh Plain, saying... Read more

US Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence meets with Iraqi archbishop ahead of Middle East trip

Dec 4, 2017

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence met with Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil on Monday for a “substantial discussion”... Read more