Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria

Nigerian bishop addresses the evils of Islamist extremism at interfaith summit

Nov 3, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

Addressing the G20 Religion Forum in Bali, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah testified to the violence committed against both Christians and... Read more

Catholic elementary school in Gbeji, Benue State, Central Nigeria.

Dozens of Catholic villagers reportedly killed in Central Nigeria raid

Oct 29, 2022

By Douglas Burton

The state police commissioner says no more than 10 people were slain, but a county official claims more than 70... Read more

Terrorist attacks in Benue State, Nigeria, have forced residents to flee their villages and, in some cases, seek shelter in local Catholic churches and schools. Pictured here is St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Yelewata.

Nigerian bishop appeals for help from European Parliament as terrorist attacks continue

Oct 14, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Since Oct. 8 terrorist attacks have claimed eight lives, displaced thousands, and left parishioners traumatized in Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbea's... Read more

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Pastor and more than 80 others kidnapped in attacks on two Nigerian churches

Sep 23, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

On Sept. 17, militants raided the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Suleja in Niger state and abducted dozens of worshippers... 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

Catholic journalist Luka Binniyat will stand trial on charges of "cyberstalking" after reporting on the massacre of Christians in Nigeria.

Journalist who reported on massacre of Nigerian Christians to stand trial for “cyberstalking”

Aug 18, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Luka Binniyat, a Catholic human rights reporter, is facing prison after writing an article in which the Nigerian government was... Read more

State officials walk past injured victims on hospital beds being treated for wounds following an attack by gunmen at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, southwest Nigeria, on June 5, 2022.

Arrests made in Nigeria Pentecost massacre

Aug 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

One of those arrested in the killing of 40 people is a high-ranking member of Islamic State, authorities said. Read more

Displaced Nigerians camped near St. Francis Xavier Parish in Agagbe, Nigeria, in 2022.

Catholic parish in Nigeria struggles to feed thousands uprooted by violent attacks

Aug 12, 2022

By Douglas Burton, Masara Kim

From May 1 to June 30, 70 unarmed persons across Benue State in north-central Nigeria were killed in attacks by... Read more

Father Patrick Alumuku

Nigerian priest: Federal government has refused to help regarding abductions, killings

Jul 22, 2022

By Agnes Aineah

Nigeria’s government has everything it needs to stop the ongoing attacks that are targeting Christians, but has refused to help,... 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

Father John Mark Cheitnum, left, and Father Denatus Cleopas, right.

Two Catholic priests kidnapped in Nigeria

Jul 16, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Nigerian diocese of Kafanchan has asked for prayers after two Catholic priests were kidnapped Friday evening. Read more

The funeral of Father Vitus Borogo in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, June 30, 2022.

Nigerian militants appear to target Catholic priests for kidnapping: Why?

Jul 14, 2022

By Douglas Burton, Luka Binniyat

Father Peter Amodu was supposed to say the 5 p.m. Mass at Holy Ghost Parish in southern Nigeria on July... Read more

Bishop Jude Arogundade in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2022 outside the Belmont House, where he attended a breakfast social with U.S. congressmen and religious freedom advocates.

Nigerian bishop, a former New Yorker, calls church massacre ‘my own Sept. 11th’

Jul 6, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

Bishop Jude Arogundade wants the world to know that a genocide against Christians is happening in Nigeria. Read more

Photo illustration of Nigerian military uniform.

Nigerian Christian villagers claim military helicopter fired on them, not bandits

Jul 4, 2022

By Douglas Burton

Authorities deny the charge and have tried to reassure villagers the government is on their side. Read more

Priests protest at the funeral of Father Vitus Borogo in the archdiocese of Kaduna on June 30, 2022.

Nigerian archbishop cries at gravesite of slain priest as Catholics protest violence

Jul 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

“People are tired of the killing," a priest from the Archdiocese of Kaduna told CNA. Read more

A photo of Deborah Emmanuel's photo on her Facebook page. Emmanuel, a Christian student in Nigeria, was killed by an Islamic mob on her college campus on May 12, 2022.

Eyewitness details brutal 'blasphemy murder' of Nigerian Christian student

Jun 23, 2022

By Douglas Burton, Beloved John

A close friend who was with Deborah Emmanuel when she died describes her final hours. 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

Kaduna State in northern Nigeria.

Two churches in Nigeria attacked during Sunday worship

Jun 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The attack comes two weeks after 40 Christians were killed in an attack on a Catholic church on Pentecost Sunday. Read more

Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo preaches the homily at the funeral of the Owo Pentecost massacre victims, June 17, 2022.

Nigeria church massacre: At funeral, bishop urges Christians to 'refuse to be crushed by the tragedy'

Jun 17, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

“In these coffins, a part of Nigeria lies dead, too," Bishop Emmanuel Badejo said. Read more