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Formerly detained Father Oliver Opara (left) with Ummi Hassan; Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto (not an abductee); Father Stephen Ojapah; and Hassan Fareed Hassan after the four were released from being held captive by terrorists. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Sokoto

Freed Catholic Priest in Nigeria Recounts Details of His Kidnapping by Insurgents

Sep 10, 2022

Father Stephen Ojapah had fallen fast asleep late on May 25 after an exhausting day of parish work when two men with rifles ordered him to get out of bed and follow them.

Catholic journalist Luka Binniyat will stand trial on charges of "cyberstalking" after reporting on the massacre of Christians in Nigeria. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Journalist Who Reported on Massacre of Nigerian Christians to Stand Trial

Aug 18, 2022

Luka Binniyat, a Catholic human rights reporter, is facing prison after writing an article in which the Nigerian government was criticized for its inaction in the face of an ongoing threat to Christian communities.

Displaced Nigerians camped near St. Francis Xavier Parish in Agagbe, Nigeria, in 2022. Courtesy of Adakole Daniel

Catholic Parish in Nigeria Struggling to Feed Thousands Uprooted by Violent Attacks

Aug 13, 2022

From May 1 to June 30, 70 unarmed persons across Benue State in north-central Nigeria were killed in attacks by Fulani herdsmen, a Catholic bishop says.

Croatian parliament member Marijana Petir initiated the proposal to send about $30,000 in government aid to victims of the Nigerian Pentecost Sunday Mass attack on June 5, 2022. Courtesy of Marijana Petir

Croatian Aid Meant to Show Pentecost Attack Victims in Nigeria “you are not forgotten”

Jul 18, 2022

Forty-one people were killed by gunmen who opened fire during a Pentecost Sunday Mass.

Father John Mark Cheitnum, left, and Father Denatus Cleopas, right. Photos courtesy of Archdiocese of Kaduna.

Nigerian Diocese Seeking Prayers for “unconditional release” of Two Kidnapped Priests

Jul 16, 2022

The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria has asked for prayers after two Catholic priests were kidnapped Friday, July 15 evening.

The funeral of Father Vitus Borogo in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, June 30, 2022. Photos courtesy of the Archdiocese of Kaduna

Why Nigerian Militants Appear to Target Catholic Priests for Kidnapping

Jul 15, 2022

Father Peter Amodu was supposed to say the 5 p.m. Mass at Holy Ghost Parish in southern Nigeria on July 6.

Photo illustration of Nigerian military uniform. Shutterstock

Christian in Nigerian Village Claim Military Helicopter Fired on Them, Not Bandits

Jul 4, 2022

Authorities deny the charge and have tried to reassure villagers the government is on their side.

Priests protest at the funeral of Father Vitus Borogo in the archdiocese of Kaduna on June 30, 2022. Photos courtesy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna

Nigerian Archbishop Cries at Gravesite of Slain Prest as Catholics Protest Violence

Jul 2, 2022

“People are tired of the killing," a priest from the Archdiocese of Kaduna told CNA.

A photo of Deborah Emmanuel's photo on her Facebook page. Emmanuel, a Christian student in Nigeria, was killed by an Islamic mob on her college campus on May 12, 2022. CNA

Eyewitnesses Detail Last Month Stoning and Murder of Nigerian Christian Student

Jun 23, 2022

A close friend who was with Deborah Emmanuel when she died describes her final hours.

Map of Nigeria. Shutterstock

Catholic Parish in Kaduna, Nigeria, Hard Hit in Last Sunday Attack

Jun 21, 2022

“We lost three of our parishioners, and 36 people were kidnapped, the majority of whom were Catholics,” a Nigerian pastor says.

Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins, pictured on Oct. 13, 2018. Damien Storan via Shutterstock.

Recent Church Massacre in Nigeria Not Linked to Climate Change: Bishop to Irish President

Jun 13, 2022

The bishop said Michael D. Higgins’ ‘reasons for this gruesome massacre are incorrect and far-fetched.’

St. Francis Xavier Owo Parish. Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC)

ISIS Affiliate Group Suspected as Perpetrators of Ondo Church Massacre in Nigeria

Jun 10, 2022

A Nigerian government official has laid blame on an Islamic militant group for the deadly church shooting on Pentecost that left dozens dead.

Pope Francis prays with journalists on a papal flight August 14, 2014. | Alan Holdren.

“Continue to live Gospel message with fidelity, courage”: Pope to Ondo Diocese, Nigeria

Jun 7, 2022

Pope Francis has encouraged the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo in Nigeria and the people of God there to remain faithful to the Gospel message, which they need to continue defending with courage.

Newly named Cardinals from Africa: Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Nigeria’s Ekwulobia Diocese (left) and Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr of Wa Diocese in Ghana (right). Credit: Courtesy Photo

Pope Francis Names 21 New Cardinals, Including Two from Africa

May 29, 2022

Pope Francis has said that he will create 21 new Cardinals, including two Bishops from Africa, one from Nigeria and the other from Ghana.

Newly named Cardinal from Nigeria, Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Nigeria’s Ekwulobia Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Nigerian Bishop Who “resigned” amid Sustained Opposition among 21 Newly Named Cardinals

May 29, 2022

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke who resigned in 2018 following sustained opposition to his Episcopal appointment for Nigeria’s Ahiara Diocese is among the 21 new Cardinals that Pope Francis named on Sunday, May 29.

Kaduna State CAN Chairman, Pastor Joseph Hayab. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Christian leaders in Nigeria’s Kaduna State “grieving” amid Persistent Attacks, Killings

Mar 26, 2022

Christian leaders in Nigeria’s Kaduna State have expressed sadness over persistent attacks and killings in the West African nation.

Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Be warned”, Archbishop in Nigeria Cautions Public against Priest Fueling Tribal Remarks

Feb 23, 2022

The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese in Nigeria has told the people of God in his Metropolitan See to stay away from a Priest who “sneaked into” the Nigerian Archdiocese where he is said to be fueling tribal utterances.

Nigerian Teen Leah Remains “fragile and abandoned” amid Rescue Promises: Catholic Charity

Feb 22, 2022

The parents of Leah Sharibu, a Nigerian teenager who was kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram in Northeastern Nigeria, are suffering, knowing that their daughter remains “fragile and abandoned” in captivity, Catholic Pontifical and charity organization, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), has said.

Credit: Abuja Archdiocese

Nigerians Must Be Forgiving to Overcome “brewing political tensions”: Catholic Archbishop

Feb 21, 2022

The people of God in Nigeria need to embrace forgiveness and dialogue to deal with political tensions that are brewing in the West African nation ahead of 2023 elections, a Catholic Archbishop in the country has said.

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese. Credit: Archdiocese of Abuja/Facebook.

Nigerians Suffering Terribly Because of “skin deep” Religiosity, Catholic Archbishop Says

Feb 15, 2022

The people of God in Nigeria are suffering because of their beliefs of excessive religiousness manifested in their uncharitable treatment of each other and discriminations based on faith, a Catholic Archbishop in the West African country has said.