Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

Ten-year-old Sema was captured by Boko Haram and held captive for eight months.

Two years after Boko Haram's schoolgirl kidnappings, has anything changed?

Apr 14, 2016

Two years ago, radical Islamists with the militant group Boko Haram stormed a school in Chibok, Nigeria, kidnapping 276 teen... Read more

Christians in Nigeria. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Maiduguri.

As synod approaches, Nigerian bishops speak up for the family

Sep 28, 2015

Nigeria’s bishops closed their latest assembly with a view toward the upcoming Synod on the Family, re-affirming the family while... Read more

JPII Rosary.

After vision of Christ, Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Haram

Apr 21, 2015

By Alan Holdren

A Nigerian bishop says that he has seen Christ in a vision and now knows that the rosary is the... Read more

Kidnapped Nigerian girls deserve more than just a hashtag, activist says

Apr 15, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

The hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls abducted a year ago by the group Boko Haram deserve a major, sustained rescue effort,... Read more

Displaced persons fill a church in Maidiguri, Nigeria, Dec. 2014.

Should the West take on Nigeria's terrorists? Bishops say yes

Jan 26, 2015

Against the background of continuing attacks by radical Islamist group Boko Haram, bishops in Nigeria are appealing for military aid... Read more

Zeinab's parents were killed when insurgents opened fire on her hometown of Maiduguri, in Nigeria's Borno state (May 2014).

Boko Haram suspected in reported kidnapping of 200

Dec 19, 2014

Nigerian gunmen suspected to be with the militant Islamist group Boko Haram reportedly killed 35 people and kidnapped about 200... Read more

St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu, Nigeria was vandalized Nov 4, 2013.

Protect us – One archbishop's plea as Nigeria elections loom

Dec 4, 2014

By Elise Harris

As Nigeria's general elections draw near, the archbishop of the central city of Jos warned candidates not to put political... Read more

Displaced persons in Maiduguri, who are being cared for by the local Church, in Sept. 2014.

Life is cheaper than salt: a Nigerian bishop facing Boko Haram

Oct 29, 2014

Bishop Oliver Doeme, who heads the Nigerian diocese which has suffered the most from Boko Haram, has lamented his government's... Read more

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos.

Who leads the fight against gay discrimination in Nigeria? The Catholic Church, prelate says

Oct 11, 2014

By Ann Schneible

The Catholic Church in Nigeria has been at the forefront in fighting against discrimination towards persons with same-sex attraction, says... Read more

A vandalized St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu, Nigeria.

As violence ravages homeland, Nigerian bishop hopes in synod

Oct 8, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, has high hopes for the outcome of the current bishops’ synod, noting the contributions... Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Boko Haram still a serious threat to Nigeria, advocates warn

Sep 25, 2014

The militant Islamist group Boko Haram continues to pose a grave threat to Nigerian society five months after the abduction... Read more

Abubakar Shekau in a low quality video admitted to kidnapping nearly 300 girls in Nigeria and threatened to sell them (Screengrab).

Nigerian bishop says Boko Haram murdered 2,500 in his diocese

Sep 18, 2014

Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme of Maiduguri has denounced the militant Islamist group Boko Haram for the murders of more than... Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Report: Boko Haram threatens regional capital in Nigeria

Sep 13, 2014

The militant Islamic group Boko Haram has surrounded Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, according to local leaders who charge... Read more

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.

Despite violence, rumors of Nigeria split called a false alarm

Sep 8, 2014

By Elise Harris

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama spoke out in the wake of more violent attacks in Nigeria, noting that although fears are high,... Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Scholars: Boko Haram caliphate claim may be inspired by ISIS

Aug 28, 2014

The Islamist extremist group Boko Haram’s claim to have established a caliphate – or a state ruled under Islamic law... Read more

Campaign seeks to help educate escaped Nigerian schoolgirls

Aug 5, 2014

As more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls remain missing after being kidnapped this spring, one human rights group has started a... Read more

A man makes a sign outside the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations on June 2, 2014 in New York City.

Protestors slam global failure to save missing Nigerian girls

Jul 30, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Gathering outside the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C. to mark the 100th day since the kidnapping of nearly 300 girls... Read more

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

Violence in Nigeria has 'no boundaries' now, archbishop says

Jul 25, 2014

By Elise Harris

In wake of two bombings this week in Nigeria, targeting both an Islamic scholar and a senior politician, Archbishop Ignatius... Read more

Empty Bullet Casings.

In deadly conflict, Boko Haram captures key Nigerian town

Jul 23, 2014

Islamic militant group Boko Haram has taken control of the northeastern Nigeria town of Damboa in a July 18 attack... Read more

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria.

Nigerian archbishop calls for government rescue of schoolgirls

Jul 14, 2014

By Elise Harris

Amid government reports that the nearly 200 girls kidnapped in Chibok could be home soon, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama has called... Read more