Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

Pope Francis touches a statue of Our Lady of Luján at his general audience in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace Dec. 2, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Islamist attack in Nigeria that left 30 beheaded

Dec 2, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Wednesday that he was praying for Nigeria following a massacre of at least 110 farmers in which... Read more

Fr. Matthew Dajo, who was kidnapped Nov. 22 in Nigeria's Abuja archdiocese. Public Domain

Catholic archbishop: Pray for priest kidnapped in Nigeria

Nov 27, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A Nigerian archbishop has asked for prayers for the safe release of a priest kidnapped in Abuja earlier this week.  Read more

Pope Francis waves from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during an Angelus address.

Pope Francis prays for peace and justice in Nigeria

Oct 25, 2020

Pope Francis appealed for an end to violence in Nigeria after reciting the Angelus Sunday.  Read more

Nigerian priest, kidnapped for a second time in two years, has been released

Sep 29, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

Gunmen kidnapped a Catholic priest in Nigeria’s Delta State on Saturday, the second kidnapping that same priest has experienced since... Read more

Catholic church, traditional african architecture in the city of Akure, the largest city in Ondo State, Nigeria.

Conference highlights 'forgotten' persecuted Christians

Sep 24, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Religious and political leaders warned that persecuted Christians were at risk of being forgotten, during a summit Wednesday, and highlighted the... Read more

Flag of Nigeria on soldiers arm.

Islamic militants kidnap hundreds in raid on Nigerian town

Aug 19, 2020

Militants with the Islamic State West Africa Province attacked the town of Kukawa in northeastern Nigeria on Tuesday, abducting hundreds of... Read more

Pope Francis prays before Our Lady of Fatima May 13, 2015.

Pope Francis asks Mary 'Mother of Hope' to intercede for Nigeria's persecuted Christians

Aug 15, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis prayed Saturday for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Mother of Hope,” for Nigeria’s persecuted Christians and... Read more

Knights of Columbus to report on Christian persecution in Nigeria

Aug 6, 2020

The Knights of Columbus announced a new initiative Thursday to report on Christian persecution in Nigeria, where at least 60,000... Read more

Church in Akure, the largest city in Ondo State, Nigeria.

'Beyond reprehensible': Christian aid workers executed in Nigeria

Jul 28, 2020

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released a statement on Tuesday condemning the execution of five aid workers... Read more

Empty cradle. Stock image via Shutterstock.

Baby bust: New report predicts global population crash

Jul 15, 2020

A new study published in a leading British medical journal predicts that the total fertility rate worldwide will drop well... Read more

Emmanuel Sani, a farmer affected by a Fulani attack at his village, rests on a bed at St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria, April 13, 2019.

UK urged to sanction Nigerian officials for failing to protect persecuted Christians

Jul 8, 2020

A new report Wednesday urged the U.K. to sanction Nigerian officials accused of turning a blind eye to the persecution... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2019.

European bishops call for EU support of persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Jul 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The president of the European bishops’ commission has promised persecuted Christians in Nigeria that he will advocate for increased support... Read more

Catholic church, in the city of Akure, the largest city in Ondo State, Nigeria. Via Shutterstock

Send special envoy to protect Nigerian Christians says former congressman

Jun 25, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

The United States should send a special envoy to Nigeria to help coordinate the protection of the Christian population and... Read more

Flag of Nigeria on soldiers arm.

Attack on Nigerian village leaves 80 dead

Jun 11, 2020

The militant group Boko Haram is believed to be behind a recent attack on a Nigerian village that left at... Read more

Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria.

Christian pastor and pregnant wife killed in Nigeria

Jun 8, 2020

A Christian pastor and his pregnant wife were killed on their farm in northeastern Nigeria last week, the latest victims... Read more

Church in Akure, the largest city in Ondo State, Nigeria.

More than 600 Nigerian Christians killed in 2020, new report says

May 18, 2020

Christians in Nigeria faced escalating persecution and a mounting death toll in the first four months of 2020, a new report... Read more

Nigerian seminarian Michael Nnadi. Courtesy photo.

Murdered Nigerian seminarian was killed for announcing gospel, killer says

May 2, 2020

A man claiming to have killed the murdered Nigerian seminarian Michael Nnadi has given an interview in which he says... Read more

A priest signs the forehead of a child as catholics take part in the Ash Wednesday celebration at the St. Patrick cathedral in Maiduguri on February 26, 2020.

Nigerian priest: ‘I want the world to know of the suffering of our people’ 

Mar 11, 2020

By Matt Hadro

“The underlying point of all these attacks is to drive away any Western ideology, Western form of living, and institute... Read more

Fr. David Echioda.

Nigerian priest kidnapped after Sunday Mass has been released

Mar 3, 2020

A Nigerian priest who was kidnapped after offering Sunday Mass March 1 has been freed, his diocese has reported.  Read more

Fr. David Echioda.

Nigerian priest abducted by gunmen after Sunday Mass

Mar 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Another Catholic priest in Nigeria has been kidnapped by gunmen, according to local media reports.  Read more