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Catholic Church in Nigeria

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

"Perplexing": Catholic Archbishop on Swearing in of Nigeria’s President Despite Petition

May 29, 2023

It is “perplexing” that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn in as Nigeria’s new President despite the fact that the Presidential election petition has not yet been heard and determined, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the country’s Abuja Archdiocese has said.

Fr. Matthias Opara freed after spending three days in captivity in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

Catholic Priest in Nigeria Freed on Pentecost Sunday after Three Days in Captivity

May 29, 2023

Fr. Matthias Opara, the Nigerian Catholic Priest who was abducted on May 26 while returning from a funeral has been set free.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Nigeria's Sokoto Diocese during the 2023 presidential inauguration lecture held in Abuja. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Everything is not okay”: Catholic Bishop in Nigeria to New Government, Urges Diagnosis

May 28, 2023

The Catholic Bishop of Nigeria’s Sokoto Diocese has cautioned the incoming government of the West African nation against the thinking that all is well in the country.

Fr. Matthias Opara abducted on Friday, May 26 while returning from a Funeral Mass in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

“That he may be released unharmed”: Prayer Appeal for Priest Abducted in Owerri, Nigeria

May 26, 2023

Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri is appealing for prayers for the release of Fr. Matthias Opara, who was abducted on Friday, May 26 while returning from a Funeral Mass.

Gunmen stormed villages in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in Nigeria killing dozens. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Nigeria’s Christian Leaders Decry “resurgence of mindless killings” after Dozens Massacred

May 26, 2023

The killing of “at least 130 people” in Nigeria’s Plateau State is a matter of “deep concern” for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Pastor John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Elect Parliamentary Heads Devoid of Partisan Bias: Christian Leaders in Nigerian State

May 24, 2023

Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State are calling upon lawmakers in the West African nation to elect leaders in the Senate and National Assembly, who are not foster partisan biases. 

Fr. Jude Kingsley Maduka, freed after spending three days in captivity in Nigeria’s Okigwe Diocese. Credit: Okigwe Diocese

Nigerian Catholic Priest Freed After Three Days in Captivity

May 23, 2023

Fr. Jude Kingsley Maduka, the Nigerian Catholic Priest who was abducted on May 19 while inspecting the site of a new adoration chapel has been set free.

Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyèse Badejo, President of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) and Local ordinary of Nigeria's Oyo Diocese. Credit: Oyo Diocese

Catholic Bishop Urges Media Practitioners in Africa to “promote family cohesion, harmony”

May 21, 2023

On the occasion of the 57th World Communications Day (WCD) 2023 marked Sunday, May 21, the leadership of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) has called on Christian media practitioners on the continent to foster “family cohesion and harmony” in their professional practice.

A victim of Boko Haram in Nigeria's Borno State. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Held by Boko Haram for Nine Years, Victim Seeks Help at Catholic Trauma Healing Center

May 21, 2023

About a month ago, Susan Swa escaped Kangarwa, an Island on Lake Chad where Boko Haram militants had held her captive for nine years.

Fr. Jude Kingsley Maduka, kidnapped from Nigeria’s Okigwe Diocese on 19 May 2023. Credit: Okigwe Diocese

Prayer Appeal for “safe, sound” Release of Nigerian Catholic Parish Priest Abducted Friday

May 21, 2023

Prayers are being sought for the “safe and sound” release of Fr. Jude Kingsley Maduka, the Nigerian Catholic Priest abducted on May 19 from Nigeria’s Okigwe Diocese.

“Evangelization a matter of communication”: Cardinal on Communications Week in Nigeria

May 20, 2023

Communication and evangelization are intimately connected, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has said in his Tuesday, May 16 Message on the occasion of this year’s ongoing Communications Week (COMWEEK), an initiative of Catholic Bishops in Nigeria.

Credit: Intersociety

How Nigerian Government is Overspending to Cover Up Christian Persecution

May 19, 2023

Many individuals and organizations who vehemently spoke against Christian persecution in Nigeria are now silent, a Catholic human rights defender has said, noting that most activists no longer criticize the government amid increasing violation of rights because “they have been bought”.

Fr. Joseph Bature Fidelis the Director of the Human Resource and Skills Acquisition for Trauma Healing Center of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri. Credit: Fr. Joseph Bature Fidelis

Priest Providing Trauma Therapy in Nigeria Recounts Near-death Experiences with Militants

May 18, 2023

Outside St. Hillary Nursery and Primary School of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, a middle-aged Priest gathered teachers and older learners and gave them general absolution. Everyone in the school thought they were going to die. 

Map of Nigeria. | Shutterstock

Nigerian Researchers to Present Government’s “scorecard” Detailing Christian Persecution

May 17, 2023

Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari’s hand-over on May 29 will be followed by the launch of a report detailing his government’s failure to address attacks against Christians in the West African nation, and “aiding” most of the persecution.

“Unacceptable”: Religious Freedom Advocates on Protracted Captivity of Nigerian Teen, Leah

May 16, 2023

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has termed as “unacceptable” the continued holding in captivity of Leah Sharibu, the only remaining student who has not been released since the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping.

Credit: CAN

Nigeria’s Church Leaders Promote Bill Seeking to Establish Christian Education Curriculum

May 13, 2023

Church leaders in Nigeria are promoting the National Council for Christian Education Bill, which seeks to oversee the development of a Christian education curriculum and monitor what learners are taught in schools. 

John Cardinal Onaiyekan/Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Anomalous situation”: Cardinal in Nigeria on Delayed Presidential Petition Verdict

May 5, 2023

The delay in delivering the Presidential petition verdict following Nigeria’s disputed presidential poll has put the West African nation in an “anomalous situation”,  John Cardinal Onaiyekan has said.

Fr. Chochos Kunav (right) and Fr. Raphael Ogigba (left), freed by abductors after five days of captivity from the Catholic Diocese of Warri in Nigeria. Credit: Courtesy Photo.

Released “unharmed, unbroken”: Official on Two Nigerian Priests Kidnapped from Warri

May 5, 2023

Fr. Chochos Kunav and Fr. Raphael Ogigba, who were abducted on April 29 from the Catholic Diocese of Warri in Nigeria, have been released.

Fr. Chochos Kunav (right) and Fr. Raphael Ogigba (left), reportedly abducted on April 29 from the Catholic Diocese of Warri in Nigeria. Credit: Courtesy Photo.

Prayer Appeal for “quick, safe release” of Two Catholic Priests Kidnapped in Nigeria

May 3, 2023

Prayers are being sought for the “quick and safe release” of Fr. Chochos Kunav and Fr. Raphael Ogigba, reportedly abducted on April 29 from the Catholic Diocese of Warri in Nigeria. 

Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Nigeria’s Oyo Diocese. Credit: Oyo Diocese

Nigeria’s Working Conditions in Need of “serious, urgent overhauling”: Catholic Bishop

May 1, 2023

On the occasion of the annual celebration of the International Labor Day commemorated May 1, a Catholic Bishop in Nigeria has lamented the working conditions in the West Africa nation.