Catholic Church in Nigeria
The Latest
Catholic priest in Nigeria freed on Pentecost Sunday after three days in captivity
Father Matthias Opara, a Nigerian Catholic priest who was abducted on May 26 while returning from a funeral, has been... Read more
Nigerian Catholic church attacked on Pentecost Sunday last year resumes public worship
A parish church in Nigeria that was attacked on Pentecost Sunday last year reopened for Easter Sunday Mass on April... Read more
Holy Week attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria leave nearly 100 dead
The deadly raids were another sign of worsening violence in Nigeria’s Benue state. Read more
Dozens still captive in Nigeria after deadly raid on Catholic town
Armed bandits killed one person and kidnapped more than 100 others in a March 14 raid on a predominantly Catholic... Read more
Waves of attacks displace Catholic natives in central Nigeria
Recent terrorist raids in Benue, a predominantly Catholic state in north-central Nigeria, are getting scant mention in Nigeria news. Read more
‘My parishioners shot dead in cold blood’: Priests, lay faithful describe attacks in Nigeria
Aid to the Church in Need has released firsthand testimonies of Catholic faithful who have survived torture, kidnappings, and massacres. Read more
Muslim-Muslim ticket proclaimed winner of Nigeria’s presidential election amid protests
The country’s Catholic bishops, among others, have sharply criticized the Independent Nigerian Election Commission for its handling of the vote... Read more
Nigerians head to the polls to choose a new president — and brace for post-election violence
Peter Obi, one of three leading candidates, is Catholic and a popular former governor. Read more
Nigeria’s newest cardinal: Presidential election will ‘either make or break Nigeria’
With Nigeria’s escalating violence, a lot is at stake in the presidential election this week in Africa’s most populous country,... Read more
Nigeria’s newest cardinal shares secret behind the highest Mass attendance in the world
Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke said Nigerian society as a whole has “a traditional worldview” that recognizes the presence of God... Read more
Pope Francis asks Virgin Mary to intercede for Nicaragua after bishop sentenced to 26 years in prison
“The news from Nicaragua has grieved me a great deal,” the pope said. Read more
State Department official: ‘After careful review’ Nigeria to remain off religious freedom watch list
A U.S. State Department official told EWTN that “after careful review” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has decided not to... Read more
Where is Mass attendance highest? One country is the clear leader
A compilation of new data by researchers at Georgetown University sheds light on the countries around the world that have... Read more
Priest describes ‘horrifying’ new attack on Catholics in Nigeria that leaves at least 11 dead
Alleged Fulani herdsmen on Jan. 19 attacked a village near Makurdi, the capital of Nigeria’s Benue State. Read more
Pope Francis prays for priest killed in Nigeria, asks for prayers for persecuted Christians
At the end of his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis asked for people to join him in praying for persecuted Christians... Read more
Catholic priest burned to death in Nigeria
Another priest was shot in the Jan. 15 bandit attack but survived. Read more
Dozens still in captivity after Christmas Day attack in Nigeria, Catholic priest says
On Christmas Day 2022, militant Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists attacked Angwan Aku village, reportedly killing one person and abducting... Read more
Nigeria bishop: Pre-Christmas massacre part of ‘a deliberate plan to unleash evil’ against Christians
Witnesses say armed Fulani herdsmen attacked several Christian villages on Dec. 18, leaving as many as 46 people dead and... Read more
Bishop: ‘Nigeria is waiting’ for justice in Pentecost Sunday church massacre
Six months have passed since 39 Catholic worshipers were slain and dozens injured in a June 5 attack on a... Read more
Despite incessant attacks, Nigerian Catholics keep their faith
Attacks by groups of Islamist militia variously called “herdsmen,” “bandits,” or “unknown gunmen” increasingly victimize farming towns in Nigeria. Read more
