Religious persecution

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Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, is monitored by police in early August 2022.

The history behind the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua

Aug 12, 2022

By Eduardo Berdejo

How did the Central American country come to such a crisis? Read more

Bishop José Álvarez Lagos surrounded by police officers on Aug. 4, 2022.

Nicaragua’s Ortega regime blocks bishop from leaving diocesan offices to celebrate Mass

Aug 5, 2022

By Diego López Marina

A video posted Aug. 4 on social media shows a group of riot police, with batons and shields, blocking the... Read more

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Could priests in Mexico avoid being killed by wearing a cassock?

Aug 4, 2022

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Bishop Jesús González Hernández said wearing religious clothing could prevent Catholic priests from being victims of violence. Read more

Fr. John Mark Cheitnum, who was killed in the Diocese of Kafachan July 15, 2022.

Kidnapped priest killed in Nigeria, another escapes

Jul 19, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Father John Mark Cheitnum was “brutally” killed the day he was abducted, his diocese announced. Read more

Croatian parliament member Marijana Petir initiated the proposal to send about $30,000 in government aid to victims of the Nigerian Pentecost Sunday Mass attack on June 5, 2022.

Croatian aid meant to show victims of Nigeria church attack that 'you are not forgotten'

Jul 18, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus, Shannon Mullen

Forty-one people were killed by gunmen who opened fire during a Pentecost Sunday Mass. Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Nigerian Catholic parish hard hit in latest raid

Jun 21, 2022

By Douglas Burton

“We lost three of our parishioners, and 36 people were kidnapped, the majority of whom were Catholics,” a Nigerian pastor... Read more

Christians hold signs as they march on the streets of Abuja during prayer and penance for peace and security in Nigeria on March 1, 2020.

Expert says Nigerian Christians no longer view the U.S. as a 'credible partner'

Jun 13, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The claim that the Pentecost Sunday attack was related merely to resources, land, or climate change is "absurd," Stephen Rasche... Read more

Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins, pictured on Oct. 13, 2018.

Nigerian Catholic bishop to Irish president: Church massacre not linked to climate change

Jun 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

The bishop said Michael D. Higgins’ ‘reasons for this gruesome massacre are incorrect and far-fetched.’ Read more

Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland.

Ireland’s president condemns Catholic church massacre in Nigeria

Jun 8, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Michael D. Higgins spoke out days after a Catholic charity appealed to world leaders to denounce the attack. Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on a papal flight August 14, 2014.

Nigeria church massacre: Pope Francis mourns victims of ‘unspeakable violence’

Jun 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Parolin said that the pope was praying ‘for the conversion of those blinded by hatred and violence.’ Read more

Cross of the Martyrs.

Catholic charity urges world leaders to condemn Nigeria church massacre

Jun 6, 2022

By Courtney Mares

At least 50 people were reportedly killed in the ‘Pentecost massacre’ on June 5. Read more

The flag of Nigeria on a military uniform.

Vatican and local Catholic bishop respond to Pentecost Sunday church massacre in Nigeria

Jun 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

At least 50 people are reported to have been killed in the attack at a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo... Read more

Photo illustration.

At least 50 feared dead in attack on Catholic church in Nigeria

Jun 5, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

Such attacks in southwestern Nigeria are rare, while they have escalated sharply in the north in recent months. Read more

The European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

European Parliament backs persecution report criticized by Catholic Church

May 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

COMECE said the report ‘rendered invisible’ millions of believers persecuted for their faith. Read more

Patrick Kelly, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, delivers his first Supreme Knight's Report during the organization's 139th Annual Convention, Aug. 3, 2021. Credit: Knights of Columbus/screenshot.

Urgent appeal from Supreme Knight: Start this novena on Christmas Eve for persecuted Christians

Dec 23, 2021

By CNA Staff

The head of the Knights of Columbus is asking for the order's members to consider "a last-minute Christmas gift": saying... Read more

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Holy Land Christians need more protection, Christian leaders in Jerusalem warn

Dec 16, 2021

By Kate Olivera

Christian leaders in Jerusalem are seeking an “urgent dialogue” with local authorities to discuss further protections for Christians in the... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith. Public Domain.

Congressman Smith: Nigeria's removal from U.S. watch list a 'retreat' from fight against religious persecution

Nov 24, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The decision to remove Nigeria from the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” was “totally unjustified,” and a backwards step... Read more

Afghan refugees are being processed inside Hangar 5 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Sept. 8, 2021.

USCCB, Catholic Charities ramp up efforts to welcome Afghan refugees

Sep 23, 2021

By Autumn Jones

Over the next several months, the USCCB and Catholic Charities locations across the U.S. will welcome upwards of 7,500 refugees... 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.

Afghan Christian’s plea to CNA: ‘You are my last hope’

Sep 8, 2021

By Shannon Mullen

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 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