Christian persecution Archives

Christian persecution

Catholics still persecuted in China, confirms Taiwan Government

July 22, 2022

China’s persecution of Catholics has escalated, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, even as one Vatican official said the two sides are talking about opening a representative office in Beijing. According to spokesperson Joanne Ou, the Vatican has been requesting China’s permission for a representative office to be established since 1999. Yet, as the

Catholics and other Christians back under attack in Nigeria

June 20, 2022

Nigeria has been rocked by yet more attacks against the country’s sizeable Christian population. Africa’s most populous country – split nearly 50-50 between Christians (concentrated in the south) and Muslims (concentrated in the north, where Sharia law is widely implemented) – saw gunmen attack a Catholic Mass earlier this month, killing over fifty worshippers. That

Pakistan: Lawyer for Christian couple acquitted of blasphemy warns of extremist violence

June 11, 2021

A Muslim lawyer for a Christian couple accused of blasphemy against Islam has warned that Muslim extremists are calling for their deaths. Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar were convicted of sending a text message, in English, that was considered blasphemous against Mohammad, despite being illiterate. They were convicted by a Pakistani court in 2014 and

UK’s Patel agrees to meet MP, delegation to discuss Pakistani Christian girl’s asylum case

June 08, 2021

In a statement, ACN UK National Director Neville Kyrke-Smith stressed the need for swift action. “It is urgent that the Prime Minister acts to save the lives of Maira and her family," he said. "They are in grave danger.”

Islamic insurgency intensifies in eastern DRC

May 19, 2021

A scene of destruction in Butembo-Beni diocese on 24 March 2021, following an attack by suspected ADF/NALU forces. Photo courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need Islamic insurgents in the Democratic Republic of Congo are engaged in “relentless” violence. A bishop from a hard-hit diocese in the country has given a leading Catholic

Mozambique: Thousands missing, many feared dead after IS militants seize town

April 01, 2021

Members of the militant Islamic ISIS network have claimed responsibility for the attack, which may have left as many as 50,000 people homeless.

Pakistan: Church to launch campaign to protect vulnerable girls

March 18, 2021

The CCJP initiative to protect minority girls will include consultations with politicians and other decision makers at both state and national level, promoting community awareness about the problem, and providing legal help for victims.

Pope Francis in Iraq: A Man on a Mission

March 08, 2021

Pope Francis was a man on a mission, says correspondent John Cookson in Baghdad on Monday morning. The question is: Did he succeed?