Pakistan-Abductions and forced conversions of young Christian women increasing

Head of Justice and Peace Commission sees little progress in religious freedom. The director of the Catholic National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) in Pakistan, Father Emmanuel Yousaf (Mani), says abductions and forced conversions of young women from Christian minorities are on the rise. “The problem is becoming more acute day by day,” the …

An adventure of faith in the forest

In the Brazilian Amazon, a Capuchin friar shares the many efforts and trials necessary to spread the Gospel in this vast region and the help that makes it all possible. Friar Paolo Maria Braghini was returning to his mission one afternoon, after having gone to buy supplies in the city, when a cloud began to …

Pakistan: Justice served at last

A Christian man in Pakistan, who languished in jail for nearly eight years, has been released after he was acquitted by a court in Lahore. Humayun Allahrakha (formerly known as Humayun Faisal Masih), now 32, was burning newspaper in Sanda, a town in Lahore District, in May 2015 when Muslim onlookers accused him of blasphemy, …

“Being a priest in Nigeria includes the danger of being kidnapped.”

Roads are fraught with danger in Northern Nigeria. Besides the risk of kidnapping, accidents are common and can be fatal. A good car would make Fr. Andrew’s mission easier to accomplish. Video of Fr. Andrew explaining why it is important to have a safer mode of transport in #Nigeria. “Being a priest in Nigeria includes …

Nigeria – A Dark Holy Week.

Fulani herdsmen slaughter over 30 IDPs in Africa’s most populated country The latest case of violence carried out against mostly Christian farmers in Central Nigeria has left at least 35 dead. On Holy Saturday, April 8, an attack on internally displaced people (IDPs), carried out by Fulani herdsmen, caused nearly three dozen fatalities and countless …

Churches in the Holy Land warn of rise in anti-Christian incidents

Attacks on churches, schools and cemeteries by fundamentalist Muslims, Jews and even state authorities are worrying the Christians of the Holy Land. The Patriarchs and heads of Churches in the Holy Land have warned of a rise in anti-Christian incidents, such as attacks on holy sites, schools and even funeral processions. Joint statement of the …

Haiti – “painful and outrageous.”

Head of the Clerics of Saint Viator describes kidnapping of priest as “painful and outrageous.” Two priests were abducted in recent weeks in Haiti, a country in the midst of a deep crisis. While one of them managed to escape after several days in the hands of his kidnappers, the other was released on March …

Nigeria – Christian leader hoping new leaders will have “the common good of everybody at heart.”

Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, the president elected of Nigeria who will be asserted in May, comes from a region famous for interreligious harmony and is married to a practicing Christian. Christians hope he will be an improvement on President Buhari, who has been accused of being soft on radical Islam and Fulani violence. Nigerian Catholics …

Syria – “You journeyed with our suffering people until death”

A moving tribute to Father Imad Daher, who died in the 6 February earthquake in Aleppo, Syria, written by a childhood friend. Sister Jacky Abinassif is from Majd el Meouch, in Lebanon, and knew Father Imad Daher well. “He was a friend of my family – he was our neighbour – and a close friend …

Pope Francis, 10 years in solidarity with persecuted Christians

This past Wednesday, March 8, the Holy Father met with two young Nigerian Christians who were victims of jihadist persecution. (Cover photo: Pope Francis in Iraq, March 2021). On the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate, Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) highlights the Holy Father’s closeness to Christians who suffer persecution …