Middle East - Africa News

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

Pope Francis greets South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir at the Vatican on March 16, 2019.

Pope Francis’ DR Congo and South Sudan itinerary unveiled

May 30, 2022

By Jude Atemanke

Pope Francis will visit the African nations on July 2-7. Read more

Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian.

Armenian patriarch to represent Catholics at Middle East Council of Churches

May 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian has led the Armenian Catholic Church since September 2021. Read more

Members of the Holy Land Coordination meet with young people of Jerusalem at St James the Apostle Beit Hanina parish, May 21, 2022.

Bishops lament threats facing Jerusalem's Christians

May 26, 2022

By CNA Staff

At the end of a trip to the Holy Land, a group of European bishops lamented the threats to Jerusalem’s... 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

Violence erupts between Israeli security forces and Palestinian mourners carrying the coffin of slain Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh out of a hospital, before being transported to a church and then her resting place, in Jerusalem, on May 13, 2022.

Christian leaders condemn Israeli police violence at Palestinian journalist's funeral

May 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Christian leaders of the Holy Land on Monday condemned recent violence at the funeral of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh,... 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

Pope Francis meets with members of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in the Apostolic Palace on May 7, 2022.

Pope Francis’ Lebanon trip ‘delayed for health reasons’

May 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

Lebanon’s tourism minister announced the postponement, citing ‘health reasons.’ 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

Doctor Tom Catena is a Catholic physician and missionary who serves the people in the Nuba Mountains, in a contested region between Sudan and South Sudan.

This Catholic doctor provides care for 1 million people in Sudan, South Sudan

Apr 28, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Sudan and South Sudan are countries currently facing several hardships. After the military staged a coup in Sudan six months... Read more

Suspects in the shooting of Bishop-elect Christian Carlassare appear in court.

Catholic priest among 4 sentenced in shooting of South Sudan bishop-elect

Apr 26, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father John Mathiang Machol was given a 7-year jail sentence. Read more

A Christian family in Qaraqosh sporting their traditional dressing for Holy Week in April 2022.

Joyful Iraqi Christians return to Nineveh Plains to celebrate Holy Week

Apr 11, 2022

By Bashar Jameel Hanna

An estimated 25,000 Iraqi Christians gathered for a joyous Palm Sunday reunion after years of war and displacement. Read more

Sister Suellen Tennyson, a member of the Congregation of the Marianites of Holy Cross, who was abducted in Burkina Faso April 4, 2022.

Abducted American religious sister a former leader of her congregation whose heart turned to missionary work

Apr 6, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The American religious sister kidnapped in West Africa this week is a former international leader of her congregation, who was... Read more

An anti-Christian slogan graffitied on a Coptic church in Egypt.

Months later, nine Egyptian Christians still detained after protests to rebuild church

Apr 5, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Months after protests of the government’s apparent refusal to approve the rebuilding of a damaged church, nine Christian protesters in... Read more

Sister Suellen Tennyson, a member of the Congregation of the Marianites of Holy Cross, who was abducted in Burkina Faso April 4, 2022.

American nun abducted in Burkina Faso

Apr 5, 2022

By Jude Atemanke

Prayers are being sought for the safe release of Sister Suellen Tennyson, 83, an American Catholic nun who was reportedly... Read more

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda (center), joined Alejandro Bermudez (far right), executive editor of the ACI Group and Catholic News Agency, and other dignitaries and staff members at a ceremony marking the launch of the Arabic-language news agency in Erbil, Iraq, on March 25, 2022.

'It's the time for the world to hear our voice': Catholic news agency in Iraq to serve persecuted Christians

Mar 25, 2022

By Kelsey Wicks

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq, was among the dignitaries at a ceremony marking the inauguration of ACI... Read more

The logo of ACI MENA, EWTN's new Arabic-language news agency, based in Erbil, Iraq.

EWTN launches Arabic-language news agency based in Iraq

Mar 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

EWTN Global Catholic Network has launched an Arabic-language news service headquartered in Erbil, Iraq. Read more

Father Christian Carlassare, Bishop-elect of Rumbek, speaks at Holy Family Cathedral, March 23, 2022.

Bishop-elect of Rumbek pledges to foster unity, receives heroic reception

Mar 24, 2022

By Jude Atemanke

Father Christian Carlassare, the bishop-elect of Rumbek, returned to his see Wednesday to jubilation, as he emphasized his intention to... Read more