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Nigeria

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2019. / Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

European Bishops Call for EU Support of Persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Jul 4, 2020

The president of the European bishops’ commission has promised persecuted Christians in Nigeria that he will advocate for increased support from the European Union. 

Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria.

Nigerian Prelate Calls for Collaborative Efforts to Curb Crime of Rape

Jun 29, 2020

The Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria’s Lagos Archdiocese is calling for joint initiatives to put an end to the upsurge of rape cases in Africa’s most populous country, describing the crime as “an intrinsic evil that infringes on the dignity and privacy of the victims.”

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese.

“Stop mutual brutality, give hand of fellowship”: Nigerian Prelate to Warring Communities

Jun 29, 2020

The continuous interethnic violent conflict between the Jukun and Tiv communities in Nigeria is a matter that is troubling the Archbishop of Abuja who is calling on members of both ethnic groups to put an end to the “mutual brutality” and extend to each other “the right hand of fellowship”.

Catholic church, in the city of Akure, the largest city in Ondo State, Nigeria. Via Shutterstock

Send Special Envoy to Protect Nigerian Christians, Says Former Congressman

Jun 27, 2020

The United States should send a special envoy to Nigeria to help coordinate the protection of the Christian population and prevent further destabilization in the area, said former Rep. Frank Wolf on Thursday, June 25.

Map showing countries around the world with ongoing conflict amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calls for Ceasefire amid COVID-19 Disregarded in Cameroon, CAR, Nigeria: Church Leaders

Jun 22, 2020

Calls for ceasefire amid COVID-19 crisis in areas of armed conflicts by world leaders including the Holy Father  and the United Nations Chief have been disregarded in Africa, various Church leaders have testified.

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Abuja Archdiocese, Nigeria.

Nigerian Prelate Denounces “heinous crime of rape,” Demands Legal Action

Jun 22, 2020

Reports that indicate a spike in cases of rape in recent days in Nigeria have caught the attention of the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja who has termed the actions “heinous crime of rape” and demanded legal action against the perpetrators. 

Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos Archdiocese.

Suspension of “planned reopening of churches” in Nigeria’s Lagos State Disappoints Prelate

Jun 19, 2020

The decision by the leadership of Nigeria’s State of Lagos to put on hold the reopening of places of worship “till further notice” has disappointed the Catholic Archbishop in the country’s largest city who says that precautionary measures had already been put in place and that worshipers would be safer in “Church premises than in other public places such as markets and motor parks.”

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Togo (CET) with former Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and Togo, Archbishop Brian Udaigwe.

Former Apostolic Nuncio in Benin, Togo Transferred, “not dismissed”: Bishops in Togo

Jun 18, 2020

Catholic Bishops in Togo have sought to dismiss as “malicious comments” claims that Nigerian-born Archbishop Brian Udaigwe who has been serving as Apostolic Nuncio in Togo and Benin has been sacked.

Fr. Ephraim N. Sani, Chairman of NCDPA reading the Press Release, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. / Catholic Broadcast Commission of Nigeria (FB).

Our State “almost suffocated by crises”, Clerics in Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese Decry

Jun 17, 2020

The Clergy of Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese within the territory of Taraba State have, in a collective statement, bemoaned multiple cases of violence in their pastoral jurisdiction and called on all parties in conflict to “give peace a chance” and save the State from suffocation under insecurity-related crises.

Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese in Nigeria.

Help Us Fight Militant Groups, Nigerian Prelate Appeals to International Community

Jun 17, 2020

A Catholic Bishop in Nigeria says that the government in the West African nation is overwhelmed in the fight against insurgency that has wreaked havoc in the country, and is now calling on the international community to step in and help restore law and order.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ celebrated Sunday, June 14, 2020.

On Corpus Christi Sunday, Bishops in Africa Pray for “spiritual healing via the Eucharist”

Jun 15, 2020

On Corpus Christi Sunday, various Church leaders in Africa have used the occasion of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ marked Sunday, June 14 to invite the people of God in their respective churches to pray for spiritual healing through the Eucharist, which has the ability of transforming lives of Christians.

Flag of Nigeria on soldiers arm. Credit: Bumble Dee/Shutterstock

Attack on Nigerian Village Leaves 80 Dead

Jun 13, 2020

The militant group Boko Haram is believed to be behind a recent attack on a Nigerian village that left at least 81 people dead on Tuesday, June 9. 

Late Sr. Henrietta Alokha,Ssh, Principal of Nigeria's Bethlehem Girls College who died while rescuing students after an inferno, honoured by the leaders of the Airforce.

Nigeria’s Airforce Names Hall after Nun Who Died Saving Others in March Inferno

Jun 12, 2020

The Nigerian nun who lost her life while seeking to save school girls during the March 15 inferno at the institution she was heading, Sr. Henrietta Alokha, has been recognized by the leaders of the Airforce of the West African nation who have named a newly-built assembly hall after her.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto in Nigeria.

Prelate Blames Woes of Nigerian Children Seeking Islamic Education on an “elite” Group

Jun 11, 2020

A section of children living with their teachers to pursue Muslim knowledge in Northern Nigeria, also referred to as Almajirai, are receiving “violent” treatment from the wider society that treats them as prospective Boko Haram recruits, a situation that a Catholic Prelate in the West African country blames on the Muslim elite group in the region.

Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria. Credit: Jordi C/Shutterstock

Christian Pastor and Pregnant Wife Killed in Nigeria

Jun 9, 2020

A Christian pastor and his pregnant wife were killed on their farm in northeastern Nigeria last week, the latest victims in a series of abductions and killings of Christians in the country.

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the Archdiocese of Abuja.

Nigeria's Abuja Archdiocese Outlines Safety Guidelines for Resumption of Public Masses

Jun 6, 2020

Days after the Federal Government of Nigeria lifted restrictions put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, the leadership of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has announced the resumption of public Mass and outlined a raft of measures aimed at containing the possible spread of the coronavirus disease.

Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos Archdiocese, Nigeria.

“Gradual restoration of public Mass” Announced for Nigeria’s Lagos Archdiocese

Jun 5, 2020

The leadership of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos in Nigeria announced, last Sunday, a gradual resumption of public Mass in anticipation of the easing of COVID-19 related restrictions by the government early this week.

Bishop Miguel Ángel Olaverri Arroniz (right) and Bishop Victor Abagna Mossa (left) appointed Metropolitan Archbishops for Pointe-Noire and Owando respectively.

Two Dioceses in Congo-Brazzaville Elevated, Auxiliary Bishop in Nigeria Appointed

Jun 2, 2020

Over the weekend, Pope Francis elevated the dioceses of Pointe-Noire and Owando in Congo-Brazzaville to Archdioceses, appointing Bishop Miguel Ángel Olaverri Arroniz and Bishop Victor Abagna Mossa as their first Metropolitan Archbishops respectively.

Bihsop Emmanuel Badejo, President of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS). / Diocese of Oyo

Christian Communicators in Africa Urged “to make people see a larger story with God”

May 25, 2020

On the occasion of the 54th World Communications Day (WCD) this year marked Sunday, May 24, the leadership of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) has called on media practitioners on the continent who practice the Christian faith to tell stories that make people visualize the bigger picture of their respective lives, with God at the center.

Church Leaders in Africa Encourage “stories of hope” on World Communications Day

May 25, 2020

On the occasion of the 54th World Communications Day (WCD), Church leaders and representatives of Catholic communication entities in Africa have, in separate messages, encouraged the telling of stories of hope amid the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.