Tensions are escalating between the Catholic Church and traditional African communities over the integration of local customs into religious practices. Some African communities, particularly in Cameroon, have accused the Church of disrespecting their cultures under the guise of inculturation (adapting Christianity to local customs). This has sparked a debate on balancing cultural respect with the Read more
“Oh, what sorrow to have watched three of my parishioners shot dead in cold blood, right before my eyes — and I couldn’t do anything,” Nigerian parish priest Father Bako Francis Awesuh, 37, shared in a new Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) report published Friday. “I couldn’t pray because of the shock I Read more
A journalist who wrote an article accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians threatened by armed militants was arrested and will be tried on charges of “cyberstalking”. Luka Binniyat, a Catholic human rights reporter, is facing prison after writing an article in which the Nigerian government was criticised for its inaction in the Read more
Catholics appear to be the targets of numerous planned Nigerian abductions and killings. In a recent example last month, two priests were abducted from a parish function at a Catholic Church in Kaduna state. Four days later the murdered body (pictured left) of one was found. The other (pictured right) escaped. A statement from the Read more
Some Catholic priests in Nigeria are telling parishioners if they don’t have a Permanent Voter Card (PVC), they won’t be allowed to come to Sunday Mass. The Independent National Electoral Commission issues the cards. The priests justified their stance in denying entry to those without a PVC, telling them it’s because “there is no way Read more
A diocesan priest abducted from southern Nigeria is now free after being held in captivity for nearly three days. “I have been reliably informed that Father David Echioda has been released by his abductors. Thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time,” said an official of the Diocese of Otukpo in a Read more
Police have freed more than 300 young men from torture and abuse in a Quranic school in northern Nigeria. A police raid on Oct. 14 found them chained and subjected to various physical abuses inside the boarding school based in Katsina. Katsina’s police chief Sanusi Buba told reporters that the house had more than 300 Read more
Christian genocide has led to the murder of about 6,000 Nigerians since January. Most of the dead are women and children. Hard on the heels of the murder of 238 Christians in Plateau State the weekend before last, a church, hospital and some 17 houses were torched in a central Nigerian village during an hour-long Read more
A Catholic building used as a religious instruction centre was one of 22 buildings burned by Boko Haram militants during an attack on Monday in northwestern Nigeria. The centre had only recently been rebuilt after Boko Haram destroyed it in 2014. Read more
War has been declared by Paulinus Ezeokafor, Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese in Nigeria, following an attack on a seminary. During the attack, a priest was shot and two people “mercilessly beaten.” The perpetrators also shot continuously at seminary rector’s residence. The attack was allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen on Monday. In response, Ezeokafor Read more