Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

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

CNA

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

Map of Nigeria.

Nigeria church massacre: State Dept. official meets local bishop

Jun 17, 2022

By Maisy Sullivan

The meeting took place following a request by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey. Read more

Map of Nigeria.

TRACKER: Where are Christians in Nigeria being killed?

Jun 15, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

More Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country worldwide — at least 4,650 in... Read more

Christians hold signs as they march on the streets of Abuja during prayer and penance for peace and security in Nigeria on March 1, 2020.

Expert says Nigerian Christians no longer view the U.S. as a 'credible partner'

Jun 13, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The claim that the Pentecost Sunday attack was related merely to resources, land, or climate change is "absurd," Stephen Rasche... Read more

Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins, pictured on Oct. 13, 2018.

Nigerian Catholic bishop to Irish president: Church massacre not linked to climate change

Jun 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

The bishop said Michael D. Higgins’ ‘reasons for this gruesome massacre are incorrect and far-fetched.’ Read more

St. Francis Xavier Owo Parish.

Nigeria church massacre: ISIS affiliate group suspected as perpetrators, government official says

Jun 9, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A Nigerian government official has laid blame on an Islamic militant group for the deadly church shooting on Pentecost that... Read more

Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland.

Ireland’s president condemns Catholic church massacre in Nigeria

Jun 8, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Michael D. Higgins spoke out days after a Catholic charity appealed to world leaders to denounce the attack. Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on a papal flight August 14, 2014.

Nigeria church massacre: Pope Francis mourns victims of ‘unspeakable violence’

Jun 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Parolin said that the pope was praying ‘for the conversion of those blinded by hatred and violence.’ Read more

Cross of the Martyrs.

Catholic charity urges world leaders to condemn Nigeria church massacre

Jun 6, 2022

By Courtney Mares

At least 50 people were reportedly killed in the ‘Pentecost massacre’ on June 5. Read more

The flag of Nigeria on a military uniform.

Vatican and local Catholic bishop respond to Pentecost Sunday church massacre in Nigeria

Jun 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

At least 50 people are reported to have been killed in the attack at a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo... Read more

Photo illustration.

At least 50 feared dead in attack on Catholic church in Nigeria

Jun 5, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

Such attacks in southwestern Nigeria are rare, while they have escalated sharply in the north in recent months. 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

Holy Family Catholic Cathedral in Sokoto, northwest Nigeria.

Catholic cathedral attacked in Nigeria after arrests over ‘blasphemy’ killing

May 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

The attack took place amid protests demanding the release of two suspects in the killing of a Christian student. Read more

Father Joseph Akete Bako.

Catholic archdiocese in Nigeria announces death of kidnapped priest

May 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father Joseph Aketeh Bako was kidnapped in March. Read more

Father Felix Zakari Fidson, who was abducted in Nigeria’s Zaria diocese on March 24, 2022.

Catholic priest in Nigeria released 40 days after abduction

May 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father Felix Zakari Fidson was seized on March 24. Read more