Christian persecution

The Latest

City of Tripoli, Libya.

Christians arrested in Libya on charges of preaching and apostasy from Islam

Apr 18, 2023

By ACI MENA

Last week Libya’s Internal Security Agency launched a campaign to arrest Libyan citizens and foreigners accused of apostasy from Islam... Read more

Janada Marcus, 22, was forced to flee Boko Haram with her family twice before the terrorists attacked them again, killing her father and kidnapping her.

‘My parishioners shot dead in cold blood’: Priests, lay faithful describe attacks in Nigeria

Mar 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Aid to the Church in Need has released firsthand testimonies of Catholic faithful who have survived torture, kidnappings, and massacres. Read more

Altar of St. Francis Xavier Owo Catholic Parish of Ondo Diocese, Nigeria, where dozens were slain in a massacre on June 5, 2022.

Republican and Democrat leaders urge Biden to add Nigeria to list of countries violating religious freedom

Feb 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Rep. Chris Smith and a bipartisan group of leaders in Congress introduced a resolution Tuesday urging the State Department to... Read more

The Religious Freedom Institute honored outgoing president Tom Farr, who will be succeeded by Eric Patterson, on Jan. 24, 2023.

Religious Freedom Institute honors Tom Farr, champion of those persecuted for their faith

Jan 27, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The Religious Freedom Institute announced the retirement as president of Tom Farr and the appointment of his successor Eric Patterson... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the general audience, Oct. 19, 2022

Pope Francis prays for priest killed in Nigeria, asks for prayers for persecuted Christians

Jan 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At the end of his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis asked for people to join him in praying for persecuted Christians... Read more

Map of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Islamic State bombs church service in Congo

Jan 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At least 10 people were killed and more than three dozen injured in the terrorist attack on a church in... Read more

Police and residents of Wumat, a farming town 45 miles south of Jos, Nigeria, arrive to survey damage and help survivors of a terrorist attack on Nov 22, 2022.

Africa’s leaders gather in DC as religious persecution in Nigeria is still being ignored

Dec 15, 2022

By Peter Pinedo

As Biden welcomes African leaders this week, religious freedom advocates are calling for the U.S. to recognize the persecution of... Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria

Nigerian bishop addresses the evils of Islamist extremism at interfaith summit

Nov 3, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

Addressing the G20 Religion Forum in Bali, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah testified to the violence committed against both Christians and... Read more

A view of St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, Hungary.

In effort to help the persecuted, Hungary offers scholarships for young Christians from around the world

Oct 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

A Hungarian official has welcomed Christian scholarship students from around the world to Budapest and stressed the importance of helping... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the Angelus address on March 20, 2022.

Pope Francis honors nun killed by Islamist terrorists in Mozambique

Sep 11, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Sister Maria de Coppi was shot and killed last week as terrorists ransacked and burned the Catholic mission where she... Read more

Catholic journalist Luka Binniyat will stand trial on charges of "cyberstalking" after reporting on the massacre of Christians in Nigeria.

Journalist who reported on massacre of Nigerian Christians to stand trial for “cyberstalking”

Aug 18, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Luka Binniyat, a Catholic human rights reporter, is facing prison after writing an article in which the Nigerian government was... Read more

State officials walk past injured victims on hospital beds being treated for wounds following an attack by gunmen at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, southwest Nigeria, on June 5, 2022.

Arrests made in Nigeria Pentecost massacre

Aug 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

One of those arrested in the killing of 40 people is a high-ranking member of Islamic State, authorities said. Read more

Priests protest at the funeral of Father Vitus Borogo in the archdiocese of Kaduna on June 30, 2022.

Nigerian archbishop cries at gravesite of slain priest as Catholics protest violence

Jul 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

“People are tired of the killing," a priest from the Archdiocese of Kaduna told CNA. Read more

A photo of Deborah Emmanuel's photo on her Facebook page. Emmanuel, a Christian student in Nigeria, was killed by an Islamic mob on her college campus on May 12, 2022.

Eyewitness details brutal 'blasphemy murder' of Nigerian Christian student

Jun 23, 2022

By Douglas Burton, Beloved John

A close friend who was with Deborah Emmanuel when she died describes her final hours. Read more

Kaduna State in northern Nigeria.

Two churches in Nigeria attacked during Sunday worship

Jun 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The attack comes two weeks after 40 Christians were killed in an attack on a Catholic church on Pentecost Sunday. Read more

Fr. Jacques Hamel, who was killed by Islamic State terrorists while saying Mass, July 26, 2016.

Trial begins in France over murder of Fr Jacques Hamel

Feb 14, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A trial began in Paris on Monday for four people charged with conspiring in the murder of Father Jacques Hamel,... Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian grotto in Pakistan.

Anglican pastor shot dead in Pakistan on way home from church

Jan 31, 2022

By Courtney Mares

“This ambush undermines peace and religious harmony throughout the country,” Archbishop Benny Mario Travas said. Read more

Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghanistan the most dangerous place to be Christian, advocacy group says

Jan 19, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Afghanistan has unseated North Korea for the dubious distinction of the most dangerous country in the world for Christians, according... Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto addresses a dinner of ADF International, "The Crisis of Religious Freedom in Nigeria," at the 2021 International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.

Outspoken Nigerian bishop says he is 'fine', amid reports he was called in for questioning by state police

Jan 11, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Following Nigerian media reports over the weekend that a Catholic bishop had been summoned for questioning by a state security... Read more

Red Week in Poland.

Christians still face persecution but there are signs of hope, Catholic charity says

Dec 30, 2021

By CNA Staff

Christians continue to face persecution across the globe but there are many signs of hope, according to the Catholic charity... Read more