Christian persecution

The Latest

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

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Diocese of Yola, pictured in 2015.

Nigerian bishop: Christian persecution is “more intense now than ever”

Dec 16, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

A Nigerian Catholic bishop has challenged the United States Secretary of State to justify his decision to remove Nigeria from... Read more

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How the Chinese Communist Party sees organized religion

Oct 18, 2021

By Matt Hadro

The Chinese Communist Party is targeting organized religion as a threat – even seeking to “change” or “transform” it into... Read more

Taliban fighters gather along a street during a rally in Kabul on August 31, 2021 as they celebrate after the U.S. pulled all its troops out of the country to end a brutal 20-year war.

PODCAST: An Afghan Christian’s plea: “You are my last hope”

Sep 14, 2021

By Kate Olivera, Jonah McKeown

A young Christian, desperate to flee Afghanistan, exchanges frantic messages with two CNA employees, pleading for help as the Taliban... Read more

March for the Martyrs, Sept. 5, 2020

‘March for the Martyrs’ to raise awareness of Christian persecution

Sep 10, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The second annual March for the Martyrs, an event to draw attention to global Christian persecution, will be held on... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York

Cardinal Dolan emphasizes hope amid global religious persecution

Jul 16, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

There is reason for hope for global religious freedom, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York told an international gathering of... 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.

'I believe in the Resurrection': Nigerian bishop keeps hope amid rampant violence

Jul 15, 2021

By Matt Hadro

As some warn that anti-Christian violence in Nigeria is reaching the level of genocide, the bishop of the Diocese of... Read more

Asia Bibi

Asia Bibi wants to be a voice for persecuted Christians around the world

Jul 14, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Asia Bibi, a Christian woman once sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy in Pakistan but eventually freed, now wants to... Read more

Santa Cruz Chapel on Murdjajou mount in Oran, Algeria.

Religious freedom advocates warn that church closures are ‘wrong direction’ for Algeria

Jun 30, 2021

By ACI Africa

The closure of several Christian churches in Algeria, as well as court convictions of Christians for undermining Muslim beliefs, are... Read more

Armenian refugees at Novorossiysk, 1920

Christian advocates praise Biden for recognizing Armenian genocide

Apr 26, 2021

Christian advocates praised President Joe Biden for officially recognizing the Armenian genocide over the weekend. Read more

Report: North Korea, Nigeria among the worst countries for Christian persecution

Jan 13, 2021

By CNA Staff

For the twentieth year in a row, North Korea tops the list of countries where Christians face oppression, according to... Read more

Nigerian security operatives during a military operation.

Knights of Columbus praise US listing of Nigeria as 'Country of Particular Concern'

Dec 16, 2020

The Knights of Columbus has praised the United States for listing Nigeria as among the worst countries for religious freedom,... Read more

Hagia Sophia, which was inaugurated as a mosque July 24.

Watch groups: Christians in Turkey face suppression, exploitation

Dec 8, 2020

Christians in Turkey are being systematically suppressed or exploited for political gains, warns a new report from two human rights... Read more

CCTV surveillance cameras in Tiananmen Square.

Pandemic conditions have increased Christian persecution

Nov 25, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated Christian persecution in some places, according to a new report from the group Aid to the... Read more

Cardinal Dolan: Stories of persecuted Christians should move hearts

Nov 22, 2020

American Christians must be better advocates for the world’s persecuted Christians, said speakers at a Thursday event featuring victims of... Read more

The flag of Mozambique.

Catholic charity sends aid to Mozambique after reports of mass beheading

Nov 11, 2020

By Courtney Mares

In response to reports that militants linked to the Islamic State had beheaded more than 50 people in northern Mozambique,... Read more

Report: Catholic nuns in China forced out of convent amid government harassment 

Nov 4, 2020

Due to pressure from the Chinese government, eight Catholic nuns have reportedly been forced to leave their convent in the... Read more