Catholic Church in Nigeria
The Latest
Nigeria’s Diocese of Kafanchan appeals for ‘intense prayers’ for abducted priest
The diocese said Father Jeremiah Yakubu from Holy Trinity Parish in Karku was taken from the rectory at about 11... Read more
Nigerian priest returning from pastoral duties shot dead; archdiocese in ‘great shock’
In a statement shared June 8 with ACI Africa, CNA’s African news partner, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze expressed shock at... Read more
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
CNA freelancer recounts ‘horrifying experience’ of witnessing Nigeria firefight
The exchange of gunfire, which lasted about an hour, took place on May 16 in Mangu City in Central Nigeria’s... Read more
Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria question U.S. report that portrays Fulani as victims
Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria are criticizing a new report prepared by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Read more
5-year-old beheaded, 33 killed in Nigeria; Christian foundation calls for action
A 5-year-old boy was reportedly beheaded when Islamists attacked a village in southern Kaduna State, leaving dozens of people dead. 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
Pope Francis meets with two Nigerian girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram
The women, who both saw members of their families murdered by Boko Haram, met with the pope at the end... 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
Report: Wave of murders after elections in Nigeria forces Catholic diocese staff to evacuate
Dozens of people were reportedly killed in attacks on villages in Nigeria’s Benue State Wednesday, a diocesan official said. 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
Witness to horror: A Christian farmer in Nigeria saw his family massacred
Clement Usoo, whose family was massacred by Fulani herdsmen in 2019, shared his story in a testimony published Wednesday by... 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
