Christian persecution
The Latest
Violence against Christians rises sharply across Europe, report warns
A new report by OIDAC Europe documents 2,211 anti-Christian hate crimes across Europe in 2024, including a sharp spike in... Read more
Priest and layman liberate Christian slaves from bondage in Pakistan
Father Rico, a priest with the Order of St. Elijah based in Argentina, told CNA he paid Muslim Pakistani businessmen... Read more
2 Nigerian minor seminarians released months after kidnapping, 1 killed in captivity
The Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria has announced the release of two young seminarians who were abducted in July during... Read more
Catholic priest appeals for prayers for evangelical missionary kidnapped in Niger
Kevin Rideout, an American missionary, was abducted from his home in Niger’s capital, Niamey, by three unidentified armed men suspected... Read more
Bill proposed in Hungary could require priests to violate seal of confession
Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed. Read more
French senators urge action against rising anti-Christian attacks in the country
Eighty-six French senators have signed a public appeal denouncing the alarming rise of anti-Christian acts in France. Read more
Nigerian Catholic leaders respond to call to label Nigeria ‘country of particular concern’
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced legislation in September that would require the Trump administration to adopt the CPC designation for... Read more
‘Christianophobia’ resurfaces in Europe as attacks rise against Christians
In 2023 alone there were 2,444 incidents of violence against Christians across 35 European countries, including 1,000 cases in France. Read more
Nigeria rights groups seek release of 850 Christians held in notorious jihadist village
Testimonies of Nigerians kidnapped by jihadist Fulani herdsmen have revealed that hundreds of Christians are still being held by the... Read more
Nigeria bishops’ conference president: Country now full of ‘fear, flight, and funerals’
Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, said Nigerians are grappling with the many effects... Read more
‘I don’t have a village anymore’: Priest decries insecurity, persecution in Nigeria
The superior general of the Via Christi Society in Nigeria has decried the state of insecurity in his native Makurdi... Read more
Christians in Laos driven from their homes, forced to live in rainforest
Despite the fact that Laos officially guarantees the right to worship, Christians in rural areas of the country are being... Read more
Alabama vicar general on leave after allegations of relationship with minor
A high-ranking priest in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama is on leave amid allegations that he began a relationship... Read more
Pakistan softens death penalty laws to keep EU trade, preserves blasphemy statutes
Islamabad removes death penalty for two crimes to preserve European trade benefits, but blasphemy laws targeting Christians remain untouched. Read more
Lawmakers introduce resolution condemning Christian persecution abroad
A joint resolution introduced in the U.S. House and Senate last week condemns the persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority countries... Read more
Nigerian priest who served in Alaska captured by Boko Haram, bishop says
Fairbanks Bishop Steven Maekawa said in a statement this week that Father Alphonsus Afina was captured by Boko Haram in... Read more
Federal Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias gets underway
President Donald Trump formally established the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian bias on Feb. 6 by executive order. Read more
Nearly 150 Catholic priests kidnapped across Nigeria in past decade, at least 11 killed
A report published March 12 by Agenzia Fides shows that of the 145 Catholic priests kidnapped in Nigeria between 2015... Read more
Catholic priests, religious brother attacked at Mozambique archdiocesan training center
An attack on the Nazaré Training Center in Mozambique’s Archdiocese of Beira on Sunday left two priests and a religious... Read more
Safety concerns escalate for Christians in historic Syrian town
Christians in Maaloula in western Syria have been living with an intensifying fear for their safety, exacerbated by a recent... Read more
