Middle East - Africa News

Father Isaac Agabi, a parish priest in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi, was abducted and tortured in 2020 and still suffers physical and psyschoigcal effects of his ordeal.

Nigerian priest recounts abductee ordeal, attributes escape to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Apr 4, 2025

By Abah Anthony John

Father Isaac Agabi recounted his ordeal at the hands of kidnappers and recommended that major seminaries in Nigeria consider teaching... Read more

Participants in the three-day planned peaceful protests in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi from March 25–27, 2025, emphasized the need for improved security and called for an end to abductions targeting the clergy that have resulted in deaths of some of the abductees.

3-day peaceful protests in Nigerian diocese call for end to abductions, killings

Apr 3, 2025

By Abah Anthony John

A group of protesters in Nigeria called for the enforcement of an anti-grazing law to curb the activities of armed... Read more

The Association of Pilgrimages in Lebanon (APL) unveils its plans for Caminos Lebanon, an innovative project designed to revitalize Christian religious tourism through a unique pilgrimage experience inspired by the renowned Camino de Santiago in Spain, on March 28, 2025.

Lebanon will soon have its own ‘camino,’ once traveled by Christ and the Romans

Mar 30, 2025

By Marguerita Kallassy

The Caminos Lebanon project seeks to highlight Lebanon’s rich religious heritage by creating a comprehensive network of pilgrimage trails. Read more

Speakers present at the briefing presenting the report “Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem” by the Rossing Center on March 27, 2025. From left to right: Hana Bendcowsky, director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations at the Rossing Center; Bernard Sabella, a retired professor of sociology; Federica Sasso (Rossing Center)), moderator, Hussam Elias, executive director of the project; and Jesuit Father David Neuhaus.

Christian communities in Israel face growing hostility, annual report reveals

Mar 29, 2025

By Marinella Bandini

On March 27, in Jerusalem, the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue presented findings from its annual report, “Attacks on... Read more

Bishop Christian Carlassare (center), President Salva Kiir (left), and Dr. Riek Machar (right).

Bishop calls for peace in South Sudan as country’s first vice president reportedly arrested

Mar 29, 2025

By ACI Africa

Amid rising tensions in Africa’s youngest country and reports that the country’s first vice president was arrested, Bishop Christian Carlassare... Read more

Bishop Abdallah Elias Zaidan of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles serves as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.

Bishop Zaidan calls for ‘lasting peace’ in Holy Land following resumed attacks in Gaza

Mar 26, 2025

By Tessa Gervasini

Maronite Bishop Abdallah Elias Zaidan said the resumed conflict “will have dire implications for any future civil society development in... Read more

Rody Sher, editor-in-chief of ACI MENA, speaks on the second anniversary of ACI MENA in 2024 at the Catholic University in Erbil, Iraq, where the agency is based. This year marks three years since ACI MENA began its mssion to report on the Church and the lives of Christians in the Middle East.

ACI MENA celebrates 3 years of amplifying voices of Christians in the Middle East

Mar 25, 2025

By Georgena Habbaba

A service of EWTN News, ACI MENA was established in 2022 and currently operates from the Catholic University in Erbil,... Read more

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Zambia’s church leaders denounce attacks on faith leaders’ criticism of government

Mar 25, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

Auxiliary Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri has reportedly been at the center of tensions with the country’s government for being vocal... Read more

A newly-renovated classroom in the Holy Land. Less than 10% of classrooms administered by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have received these kinds of upgrades, according to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Education as a path to peace: Catholic order raises funds to restore Holy Land schools

Mar 24, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is leading a campaign to renovate and modernize dozens of schools... Read more

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court building.

Catholic activists call for diplomatic intervention for Kenyan on death row in Vietnam

Mar 23, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

CitizenGo Africa officials say the life of Margaret Nduta, a young Kenyan woman sentenced to die in Vietnam following a... Read more

Grace Center in northern Ethiopia provides extensive care and support to over 50,000 individuals yearly of all ages and abilities.

How one woman’s ‘vision from God’ led to helping thousands of lives in Ethiopia

Mar 23, 2025

By Tessa Gervasini

“At Grace Center we ask: What would Jesus do for this person? Then we do the same,” founder and executive... Read more

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa speaks with Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Church, during his December 2024 visit to Gaza.

Catholic priest in Gaza reports explosions near parish

Mar 18, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Father Gabriel Romanelli told Vatican News the bombings occurred just 300 or 400 meters (about 985 to 1,300 feet) from... Read more

Andrew Peter (left), a seminarian, and Father Philip Ekweli (right) were abducted March 3, 2025, from a parish rectory in Nigeria’s Docese of Auchi. Andrew Peter was murdred, though Ekweli was released and is receiving medical attention.

Abducted seminarian murdered in Nigeria; priest released after 10 days in captivity

Mar 18, 2025

By Jude Atemanke

A seminarian abducted on March 3 from a parish rectory in the Nigerian Diocese of Auchi was murdered by his... Read more

While Church leaders are yet to comment, ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, has confirmed media reports that tensions have increased between Ethiopia and Eritrea of late, resulting in rumors of war.

Situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region ‘unstable’; Church leaders yet to comment

Mar 17, 2025

By ACI Africa

A source has told ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, that “experts” in Ethiopia are warning of a war... Read more

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople during an audience at the Patriarchal headquarters in Istanbul with the German Association of the Holy Land, March 12, 2025.

Patriarch Bartholomew says 1054 church division ‘not insurmountable’ as Nicaea anniversary nears

Mar 15, 2025

By AC Wimmer

While Pope Francis previously announced plans to travel to Turkey, one possible obstacle to a universal agreement could be tensions... Read more

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (right) welcomies Sovereign Order of Malta Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo and the delegation at Baabda's presidential palace on March 14, 2025.

Order of Malta reaffirms commitment to Lebanon’s stability and reconstruction

Mar 14, 2025

By ACI MENA

A delegation from the Sovereign Order of Malta is meeting government officials in Lebanon to discuss ways to support the... Read more

Archbishop Jean-Abdo Arbach.

‘No future for Syria without Christians’: Archbishop calls for justice for massacre victims

Mar 14, 2025

By Andrés Henríquez

The Greek-Catholic archbishop of Homs, Jean-Abdo Arbach, condemned the massacres of civilians that occurred in Syria last weekend, which left... Read more

Activists display a long list of atrocities against minorities on the first 300 days of the Narendra Modi government on March 19, 2015.

Christians decry plan in India for death penalty for conversions

Mar 14, 2025

By Anto Akkara

“A provision for capital punishment will be made in the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act for religious conversion,” declared... Read more

Massacre in Plateau, Nigeria, on Dec. 24, 2023.

Nearly 150 Catholic priests kidnapped across Nigeria in past decade, at least 11 killed

Mar 13, 2025

By Agnes Aineah

A report published March 12 by Agenzia Fides shows that of the 145 Catholic priests kidnapped in Nigeria between 2015... Read more

Members of security forces loyal to the interim Syrian government hold up their firearms as they stand by the Mediterranean sea coast in Syria’s western city of Latakia on March 9, 2025. Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for national unity and peace on March 9 amid growing international backlash following the killing of civilians along the country’s coast in the worst violence since the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad in the heartland of the Alawite minority, to which the latter belongs.

Syrian patriarchs condemn massacres as sectarian violence escalates on Syria’s coast

Mar 11, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

In a joint statement issued March 8, the patriarchs of Syria condemned acts that threaten civil peace and denounced the... Read more

Latest news

The British Parliament building in London.

British politician criticizes priest for refusing communion over assisted dying vote

The Via della Conciliazione, the grand avenue leading to St. Peter’s Square in Rome, was transformed this Sunday into a vibrant tapestry of color laid over the asphalt, June 29, 2025.

PHOTOS: Rome celebrates its patron saints with a burst of colorful flowers  

Pope Leo XIV spoke about unity on Sunday, June 29, after bestowing the pallium on 54 new metropolitan archbishops on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of the city of Rome.

Pope Leo XIV warns new archbishops against pastoral plans that repeat without renewing 

Pope Leo XIV spoke about unity on Sunday, June 29, after bestowing the pallium on 54 new metropolitan archbishops on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of the city of Rome.

Pope Leo XIV says the unity of the Church 'is nourished by forgiveness and mutual trust'

Catholic speaker and author Kim Zember (left) and Zember on the set of her new podcast on EWTN, “Here I AM Stories,” with guest Angel Colon.

Catholic speaker Kim Zember in new EWTN podcast highlights LGBT conversion stories

One unique feature of the monastery at Subiaco is that it was built into the mountain. In any room, at least one wall is bare rock. During construction, the connection with the mountain was always preserved. Even above the main altar of the upper church, the rock juts out and looms overhead, enveloping the worship space like a vast cloak.

The cave in Subiaco where the Rule of St. Benedict was born

Pro-life demonstrators take part in a rally calling for Planned Parenthood to be defunded in Denton, Texas, Saturday, June 28, 2025

Thousands rally across the U.S. urging Congress to defund Planned Parenthood

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Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV recommend this book, which warns of a world without God

A monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament is displayed on the altar during Eucharistic adoration at a Loretto Community Pentecost event accompanied by live music.

How the Loretto Community became a vibrant Catholic youth movement in Europe

Chase Crouse, founder of Hypuro Fit.

Catholic trainer merges faith and fitness in theology of the body-inspired program

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Jun 29
Sts. Peter and Paul
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