Religious persecution
The Latest
Kidnapped priest killed in Nigeria, another escapes
Father John Mark Cheitnum was “brutally” killed the day he was abducted, his diocese announced. Read more
Croatian aid meant to show victims of Nigeria church attack that 'you are not forgotten'
Forty-one people were killed by gunmen who opened fire during a Pentecost Sunday Mass. Read more
Nigerian Catholic parish hard hit in latest raid
“We lost three of our parishioners, and 36 people were kidnapped, the majority of whom were Catholics,” a Nigerian pastor... Read more
Expert says Nigerian Christians no longer view the U.S. as a 'credible partner'
The claim that the Pentecost Sunday attack was related merely to resources, land, or climate change is "absurd," Stephen Rasche... Read more
Nigerian Catholic bishop to Irish president: Church massacre not linked to climate change
The bishop said Michael D. Higgins’ ‘reasons for this gruesome massacre are incorrect and far-fetched.’ Read more
Ireland’s president condemns Catholic church massacre in Nigeria
Michael D. Higgins spoke out days after a Catholic charity appealed to world leaders to denounce the attack. Read more
Nigeria church massacre: Pope Francis mourns victims of ‘unspeakable violence’
Cardinal Parolin said that the pope was praying ‘for the conversion of those blinded by hatred and violence.’ Read more
Catholic charity urges world leaders to condemn Nigeria church massacre
At least 50 people were reportedly killed in the ‘Pentecost massacre’ on June 5. Read more
Vatican and local Catholic bishop respond to Pentecost Sunday church massacre in Nigeria
At least 50 people are reported to have been killed in the attack at a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo... Read more
At least 50 feared dead in attack on Catholic church in Nigeria
Such attacks in southwestern Nigeria are rare, while they have escalated sharply in the north in recent months. Read more
European Parliament backs persecution report criticized by Catholic Church
COMECE said the report ‘rendered invisible’ millions of believers persecuted for their faith. Read more
Urgent appeal from Supreme Knight: Start this novena on Christmas Eve for persecuted Christians
The head of the Knights of Columbus is asking for the order's members to consider "a last-minute Christmas gift": saying... Read more
Holy Land Christians need more protection, Christian leaders in Jerusalem warn
Christian leaders in Jerusalem are seeking an “urgent dialogue” with local authorities to discuss further protections for Christians in the... Read more
Congressman Smith: Nigeria's removal from U.S. watch list a 'retreat' from fight against religious persecution
The decision to remove Nigeria from the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” was “totally unjustified,” and a backwards step... Read more
USCCB, Catholic Charities ramp up efforts to welcome Afghan refugees
Over the next several months, the USCCB and Catholic Charities locations across the U.S. will welcome upwards of 7,500 refugees... Read more
Afghan Christian’s plea to CNA: ‘You are my last hope’
An Afghan Christian's desperate email to CNA triggered a painstaking effort to try to help him escape the Taliban's wrath.... Read more
Cardinal Dolan emphasizes hope amid global religious persecution
There is reason for hope for global religious freedom, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York told an international gathering of... Read more
Charter ahead of international summit affirms religious freedom "for Everyone, Everywhere, All the Time"
Ahead of the International Religious Freedom Summit 2021 (IRF Summit), co-chairs Samuel Brownback and Katrina Lantos Swett, along with the... Read more
Legislators urge Biden to address global religious persecution
A bipartisan group of members of Congress asked President Biden this week to prioritize responding to global religious persecution. Read more
China continued religious crackdown during renewal of Vatican deal
The Chinese government continued to enforce sweeping restrictions on religious freedom in the weeks prior to the renewal of an agreement with... Read more
