Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria yesterday, April 13, for a historic visit that shines a spotlight on the small but vibrant local Church and the role of dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Following his arrival in Algiers on Monday, the Holy Father visited Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba) on Tuesday, April 14, including sites linked …
Category archives: Africa
Nigeria: “We are part of the martyrdom of the 21st century”
The bishop of Wukari tells ACN about the suffering of his people and says that the federal government of Nigeria must do more to stop violence. The Diocese of Wukari, in Taraba State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, is experiencing a severe security crisis caused by armed groups composed mostly of the Fulani ethnic group. “In …
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Nigeria — Dozens Killed in Suicide Bombings
Priest warns of ‘guerrilla warfare’ following these violent attacks (Banner photo: illustration.) A priest has warned that terrorists are “infiltrating” villages after a suspected suicide attack in Northeast Nigeria resulted in multiple deaths. Father Joseph Fidelis, from the Diocese of Maiduguri, told pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that several attacks had …
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The challenges of ministering to a community of migrants
The only diocese in Mauritania has just celebrated its sixtieth anniversary. Bishop Victor Ndione, who has led the Diocese of Nouakchott for two years, speaks to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about the challenges of being a pastor in a transit country affected by irregular migration. (Banner photo: Migrant workers in …
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The “Son of St. Augustine” visits Annaba
The Vatican has officially confirmed that this coming April, Pope Leo will visit Algeria, making this the first-ever visit from a current pope. Leo XIV, who is an Augustinian by formation, will visit Algiers and Hippo Regius – the historical name of Annaba – following in the footsteps of St. Augustine. In this interview with …
Church calls for tighter security after 10 slaughtered
According to leading Church figures, over 100 people have been killed and 90,000 displaced in the Taraba State region since September 2025. (Photo of the banner: A man bearing the flag of Nigeria.) Following a fresh massacre, the Church in Nigeria’s Middle Belt has again called for action to address extremist violence. On Tuesday, February …
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Venezuela – Call for unity for national reconciliation
The bishops have asked for the release of political prisoners, for oil revenues to be applied to help the lower classes, and for the country’s sovereignty to be respected. The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) joins the bishops of Venezuela in their request that all sectors of the country work together …
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Catholic Church steps up pressure on Nigerian government over rising violence
In recent days, several Catholic organizations and dioceses have called on the government to deploy additional military and police personnel to stem the bloodshed and criminality gripping large parts of the country. The Catholic Church in northern Nigeria has intensified its public pressure on the government in recent days following a new wave of attacks …
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Significant drop in arrests of priests in 2025 but deaths increase
The number of kidnappings also dropped slightly compared to 2024 but remains a major problem in parts of Africa. Fewer priests were arrested or kidnapped in 2025 compared to 2024, but the numbers remain worrying in many parts of the world according to data collected by the international organization Aid to the Church in Need …
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New Year begins with bloodshed: 50 killed in fresh attacks in Nigeria
The New Year has not begun peacefully in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Kontagora. Just as the final days of 2025 were marked by violence and fear, early January 2026 has brought fresh bloodshed, including the massacre of 42 men in the village of Kasuwan Daji, not far from Papiri, where more than 200 schoolchildren were …
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