Christian persecution

The Latest

Catholic Archbishop Matthew Ishaya Audu of Jos marches alongside evangelical leader Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam in front of the Plateau state governor's office building in Jos, Nigeria, Jan. 8, 2024.

Thousands of Christians in Nigeria rally to demand action after Christmas massacres

Jan 9, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The protesters called for “urgent humanitarian relief material response by the state and federal government.” Read more

Chinese flags on barbed wired wall in Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China.

Chinese bishop who was removed from diocese by Communist regime is arrested

Jan 5, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin was arrested on Jan. 2 and reportedly instructed to “take clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and... Read more

CNA

Vatican: 20 Catholic missionaries killed in 2023

Jan 2, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

Twenty Catholic missionaries were murdered in 2023, according to a new Dec. 30 report issued by the Vatican’s Fides News... 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

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts a Christmas gathering with Christian leaders, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai and Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto, at his residence in New Delhi on Dec. 25, 2023.

India’s Modi hosts Christian leaders for Christmas amid rising persecution

Dec 29, 2023

By Anto Akkara

“Christmas is an occasion to remember Jesus Christ’s life’s message and values,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, addressing Christian leaders. Read more

Bishop Louis Mascarenhas of Allahabad greets Father Babu Francis at the gate of Naini jail in Prayagraj district with a bouquet of flowers.

Indian priest jailed under ‘anti-conversion’ laws is released

Dec 22, 2023

By Anto Akkara

Father Babu Francis was detained by the police on Oct. 1 after he sought information on the arrest and detention... Read more

The Austrian Parliament building is lit red as part of the international "Red Week" in honor of persecuted Christians across the globe.

‘Red Week’: Buildings and monuments across the world lit red in honor of persecuted Christians

Nov 24, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Buildings, monuments, and hundreds of churches across the world are being lit up in red throughout November in honor of... Read more

World Youth Day pilgrims in Panama City from the Archdiocese of Seoul.

Archbishop to invite young North Koreans to next World Youth Day in Seoul

Nov 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick shared this week that he plans to invite a youth delegation from North Korea to the... Read more

The Cross of San Lázaro of Seville, Spain, sculpted in the 16th century, was vandalized on the night of Oct. 21-22, 2023.

‘Anti-Christian hate crimes’ in Europe up 44% in past year, watchdog group says

Nov 17, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The spike in anti-Christian incidents is “connected to a rise in extremist motivation and a higher acceptance of the targeting... Read more

null

Dictatorship in Nicaragua cancels registration of 25 institutions including the Franciscans

Oct 27, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Minister of the Interior said the liquid and fixed assets of 17 of the organizations will now be turned... Read more

null

U.S. bishops mark 25th anniversary of International Religious Freedom Act

Oct 26, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The bishops called the 1998 law a “landmark” piece of legislation meant to protect the “essential and inviolable” principle of... Read more

The Romeike family fled from Germany in order to homeschool their children, and now faces deportation from the U.S.

Congress members urge DOJ to reject deportation of German family who sought asylum in US

Oct 6, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Romeikes were granted deferred action status in 2013 after conflicts with the German government about home-schooling their children. Read more

John Dayal (middle) and activists in July 2022 in New Delhi to mark the anniversary of Jesuit Father Stansamy, who died in police custody on trumped up terrorism charges.

India’s Christian rights network not hopeful after meeting with minorities commission

Sep 26, 2023

By Anto Akkara

“While the positive is that there is some conversation, I do not set hopes very high,” said John Dayal, an... Read more

A group of women and children guarded by security forces in Mucimboa da Praia of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province in early September 2023.

Catholic peace organization condemns sexual enslavement of Mozambican Christians

Sep 21, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

In an interview with ACI Africa, the director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute confirmed reports of a leaked Islamic... Read more

Students on the first day of school in September 2021 at the Antonia Arslan Armenian-Italian Hamalir in Stepanakert, Artsakh. The school was “established in order to help the Artsakhtsi strengthen and rebuild” and offers a variety of courses, programs, and educational opportunities.

American professor who founded school in Artsakh says Christians there are starving

Sep 9, 2023

By Zoe Romanowsky

Siobhan Nash-Marshall, founder of the Christians in Need Foundation, spoke to CNA about her work in the Nagorno-Karabakh region (Artsakh). Read more

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on the night of Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Seminarian in Nigeria burned alive in botched kidnapping 

Sep 8, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on Thursday, Sept. 7, and set the rectory... Read more

In a Sept. 6, 2023, hearing, Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, accused the government of Azerbaijan of committing genocide against Armenian Christians in disputed territory in the country.

Lawmaker accuses Azerbaijan of ‘genocide,’ seeks answers on Biden administration’s plan

Sep 7, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Rep. Chris Smith in a hearing Sept. 6 accused the Azerbaijan government of committing genocide against Armenian Christians in disputed... Read more

Christian refugees living among the brush since they were not allowed to return to their native villages after refusing to participate in a "reconversion ritual" in February 2009.

Journalist documents power of forgiveness on anniversary of Christian persecution in India

Sep 6, 2023

By Zoe Romanowsky

Anto Akkara held a recent screening of his sixth film about the killings of Christians in Kandhamal, India, in 2008. Read more

A crucifix which was destroyed during an attack on St. Kisito minor seminary in Bougui, Burkina Faso, Feb. 10, 2022.

Missionary priest: ‘Immense’ pastoral work needed amid anti-Christian violence in Burkina Faso

Aug 30, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Father Pierre Rouamba told Aid to the Church in Need that his group has been working at “systematically opening doors... Read more

Jason Poblete, president of the Global Liberty Alliance and an expert on Central and South America, speaks with “EWTN News Nightly” host Tracy Sabol on Aug. 24, 2023, about the current situation in Nicaragua.

Expert on Nicaragua urges U.S. to ‘stop dawdling with the dictator’

Aug 25, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“They want to wipe out Catholicism, eventually, from the public square. That’s their goal,” said Global Liberty Alliance’s Jason Poblete. Read more