kidnapping

The Latest

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Kidnapping scam is targeting Catholic school parents, Santa Fe Archdiocese says

Nov 10, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Local authorities have confirmed that it is a scam and have advised parents and guardians not to pay any money,... Read more

Formerly detained Father Oliver Opara (left) with Ummi Hassan; Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto (not an abductee); Father Stephen Ojapah; and Hassan Fareed Hassan after the four were released from being held captive by terrorists.

Freed Nigerian priest recounts details of his kidnapping by insurgents

Sep 7, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Father Stephen Ojapah had fallen fast asleep late on May 25 after an exhausting day of parish work when two... Read more

Father Stephen Ojapah and Father Oliver Okpara, who were abducted in Nigeria’s Sokoto diocese on May 25, 2022.

Gunmen kidnap 2 Catholic priests in Nigeria

May 26, 2022

By Magdalene Kahiu, Courtney Mares

The priests were abducted after the gunmen broke into a rectory in northwest Nigeria. Read more

Young adults who have helped with the "I Thirst" project at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dedham, Massachusetts from left to right: Emily Rittenour, Matthew Marquet, Monet Souza, Natlia Derosa, Sister Josephine Ngama, Lew Uttaro, Gianfranco Derosa, Elizabeth Balzarini, George Matta, Mark Farah.

This Catholic parish is helping to bring fresh water to a poor Nigerian village

Apr 6, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

“They need water.” These words have inspired a Catholic parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, to undertake an ambitious effort to fund... Read more

The three seminarians (C) who were released Oct. 13, 2021 by their captors, between Fr. Emmanuel Faweh Kazah, rector of the St Albert Institute, and Fr Jonah Yabanad Stephen, rector of Christ the King Major Seminary.

Abducted Nigerian seminarians released

Oct 13, 2021

By Jude Atemanke

The three seminarians who were abducted Monday night from their seminary in Nigeria's Kaduna state have been released, the chancellor... Read more

The entrance to Christ the King Major Seminary in Fayit, Fadan Kagoma, Nigeria, whence three seminarians were abducted Oct. 11, 2021.

Three seminarians abducted in Nigeria

Oct 12, 2021

By CNA Staff

Three seminarians were abducted Monday night from their seminary in Nigeria's Kaduna state. Another six were injured during the attack,... Read more

Pope Francis greets the recently freed Sr. Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti at the Vatican, Oct. 10, 2021.

Pope Francis greets Colombian nun freed 4 years after kidnapping by Islamists in Mali

Oct 10, 2021

By CNA Staff

Sr. Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti was kidnapped in 2017. Read more

Freed: Msgr. Julius Agbortoko Abbor, vicar general of Cameroon’s Mamfe diocese.

Catholic priest in Cameroon freed after three days in captivity

Sep 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

Msgr. Julius Agbortoko Abbor was released without payment of a ransom. Read more

Daughters of the Resurrection walking in Bukavu,  eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Catholic nun abducted on way to the market in DR Congo set free

Jul 17, 2021

By CNA Staff

The nun is “traumatized but physically unharmed.” Read more

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30, 2021, in Nigeria’s Maiduguri diocese.

Suspected members of Boko Haram kidnap Catholic priest in Nigeria

Jul 7, 2021

By CNA Staff

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30. Read more

A tent camp in Haiti.

Haitian archbishop demands release of abducted Catholics

Apr 14, 2021

The Archbishop of Port-au-Prince has called for the release of 10 people who were kidnapped in Haiti on Sunday and... Read more

Fr. Harrison Egwuenu, who was kidnapped Monday, March 15, 2021, in Nigeria’s Warri diocese.

Catholic diocese in Nigeria urges prayers for ‘speedy release’ of kidnapped priest

Mar 19, 2021

A Catholic diocese in Nigeria has appealed for prayers for the “speedy release” of a priest abducted on Monday. Read more

Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez

Bishops pray for Colombian nun kidnapped four years ago

Feb 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

The president of the Department of Missions at the Colombian Bishops’ Conference marked the fourth anniversary of the kidnapping of... Read more

Fr. John Gbakaan, a priest of the diocese of Minna, Nigeria. Public domain.

Catholic priest in Nigeria found dead after abduction

Jan 18, 2021

The body of a Catholic priest was discovered in Nigeria on Saturday, a day after he was kidnapped by armed... Read more

Nigerian flag

Nigerian archbishop denounces ‘nefarious’ kidnappings 

Jan 11, 2021

By CNA Staff

The kidnappings of Catholic priests and others in Nigeria must end, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja said this week. Read more

Bishop Moses Chikwe, auxiliary bishop of Nigeria's Archdiocese of Owerri. Public Domain.

Catholic bishop released five days after kidnapping in Nigeria

Jan 1, 2021

A Catholic bishop in Nigeria, who was kidnapped on Sunday, has been released unharmed, according to the Archdiocese of Owerri.  Read more

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

Christian aid group applauds investigation into forced conversions, marriages in Pakistan

Dec 3, 2020

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an investigation into the forced conversion of women and girls from the country’s... Read more

The funeral Mass of Michael Nnadi at Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna, Nigeria, Feb. 11, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Maiduguri.

Seminarian's killing a 'defining moment' for Christians in Nigeria

Feb 11, 2020

At the funeral Mass for Michael Nnadi, the 18-year-old seminarian abducted and killed by gunmen last month, Bishop Matthew Hassan... Read more

Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna, Nigeria, whence four seminarians were abducted Jan. 8, 2020.

Nigerian archbishop: Seminarian's killing shows government's security failure

Feb 4, 2020

Following the death of an 18-year-old seminarian in Nigeria at the hands of his kidnappers, the Archbishop of Lagos urged... Read more

Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna, Nigeria, whence four seminarians were abducted Jan. 8, 2020.

Three of four abducted Nigerian seminarians have been released

Jan 31, 2020

Three of the seminarians kidnapped earlier this month in northwestern Nigeria have been released safely by their captors, an official... Read more