Attackers kidnapped at least 172 Christians from two churches in a region of northern Nigeria. The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that nine individuals escaped, leaving 163 missing. International media reported that assailants surrounded the buildings during services and forced congregants into the forest. No group has claimed responsibility, and no ransom demands have emerged. This event follows the recent release of a priest, though three other clergy members remain captive. OpenDoors notes Nigeria faces extreme persecution, with thousands killed for their faith in 2025.
The 2026 Global Index of Christian Persecution, published by the evangelical NGO Open Doors on January 14, 2026, reveals a dangerous escalation in violence against believers worldwide. According to the report, 4,849 Christians were killed between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. This figure represents a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The organization notes that both the number of affected individuals and the brutality of repression are rising annually. The data highlights the growing severity of religious persecution across various regions.
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Chinese police arrested leaders and elders of the Early Rain Covenant Church in a city in Sichuan province. The group, led by imprisoned founder Wang Yi, is a prominent unregistered Protestant community. Authorities also summoned members in another city. This action follows a broader crackdown on independent churches, including recent operations in other major urban centers. Human Rights Watch and China Aid report these arrests as part of tighter religious control. The government accuses the church of illegal activities and political influence, while rights advocates demand the immediate release of the detained individuals.
Moscow, Russia. On January 16, 2026, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) issued a severe statement against Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. The agency accused him of ecclesiastical sabotage and acting as a geopolitical instrument for British intelligence. The SVR claims the Patriarch is undermining Orthodox unity to weaken the Moscow Patriarchate, citing actions in Ukraine and the Baltic states. The document uses unprecedented theological language, labeling the Patriarch an antichrist and false prophet. This escalation highlights the deep entanglement of religion and geopolitics in the Orthodox world, particularly regarding church sovereignty in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Father Gilson Pupo Azevedo, known as Frei Gilson, became Brazil’s most-watched streamer in 2025 with over 153 million viewing hours, according to Stream Charts. The Carmelite friar from São Paulo surpassed professional gamers and evangelical leaders by promoting daily rosary prayers and Catholic teachings online. His ministry, Som do Monte, gained massive traction through consistent livestreams and a focus on frank preaching rather than marketing strategies. Bishop Devair Araújo da Fonseca attributed this success to a genuine invitation to conversion, noting that many viewers seek confession after watching his content. This trend highlights the growing influence of digital evangelization within the Brazilian Catholic Church.
Vatican officials announced that between 33.4 and 33.8 million pilgrims visited Rome during the 2025 Jubilee year. Monsignor Rino Fisichella stated that daily attendance averaged 90,400, with record numbers at major prayer sites. The majority of visitors came from Europe, led by Italy. Officials confirmed that the influx did not negatively impact local tourism or events. The government highlighted improved infrastructure and inter-agency cooperation as key achievements. Fisichella noted the spiritual significance of the event and pointed toward the 2033 commemoration of Christ's redemption as the next major milestone for the Catholic Church.
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The Israeli government announced it will not renew permits for approximately 25 international NGOs operating in Gaza starting January 1, 2026. Authorities cite failure to meet new registration rules regarding personnel and funding to prevent alleged military infiltration. Organizations like Medici Senza Frontiere and Oxfam are affected. However, Caritas Jerusalem stated it will continue operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem argued its status is protected by agreements with Israel and that it does not need new registration. Critics warn the move worsens the humanitarian crisis in the region.
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A high court in Pakistan has ordered the return of a thirteen-year-old Christian girl to her parents after she was abducted late last year. The court rejected claims by the accused that the girl was an adult who consented to marriage and religious conversion. Official records confirmed she is a minor, making her legally incapable of consenting to such acts. The court ordered the accused's arrest under relevant penal code sections. A legal aid representative welcomed the decision as a significant victory for child protection and minority rights. The case proceeds in a district court in Punjab province.
Persecution Relief reported multiple incidents affecting Christians in India. In Punjab, a pastor survived an attack by villagers armed with swords and sticks. In Bihar, another pastor was prevented from holding services by a mob. In Delhi, a pastor fled his home after property damage during a service. Meanwhile, a pastor received bail in Uttar Pradesh, while other pastors face court hearings under anti-conversion laws. The organization also highlighted cases involving imprisonment, domestic displacement, and medical emergencies among believers across various regions.
The Catholic Church in Mexico is organizing a major national peace dialogue in a city in Jalisco state. The event gathers participants from civil society, businesses, and victims to address structural violence. Organizers state the initiative stems from past murders of Jesuit priests in Chihuahua. The dialogue aims to transition from listening to pain toward shared responsibility among citizens and authorities. It will present peace-building methodologies and conclude with local dialogues, emphasizing that sustainable peace requires truth and justice for victims. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to heal societal wounds through faith-based engagement and collective action across the country.
The United States conducted air strikes against Islamic State targets in a northern region of Nigeria. President Trump stated the operation responded to escalating violence against Christians in the area. U.S. Africa Command confirmed the strikes were coordinated with Nigerian authorities. A Nigerian foreign minister acknowledged the joint nature of the operation but denied it was religiously motivated. The attack follows previous warnings from Trump regarding the safety of Nigerian Christians and threats to cut aid if the government failed to protect them. Extremist groups have killed over 185,000 people in Nigeria since 2009.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Marc Wieland on UnsplashPersecuted church
Unconfirmed reports indicate that 115 students abducted from a Catholic boarding school in a village in northern Nigeria have been released after four weeks. The group was freed from a remote forest following negotiations between government representatives and kidnappers. A local bishop confirmed the release, stating these are likely the last captives. Although over 300 pupils and twelve teachers were taken initially, the bishop explained the lower number by noting some children escaped or hid during the attack without notifying authorities. The event was reported by a major news outlet.
On January 12, 2026, in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado. According to sources, Machado requested the Pope's intercession for the release of over one thousand political prisoners and for progress toward democracy in Venezuela. She also thanked the Pontiff for his attention to the country's situation and highlighted the legitimacy of President Edmundo González Urrutia following the July 2024 civic actions. Afterward, Machado met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin. These events occurred shortly after widespread protests in Venezuela demanding the freedom of detainees held in various facilities.
A US commission released its 2025 Annual Report, detailing severe religious restrictions in China. The document states that the Communist Party enforces loyalty over faith, restructuring theological education and limiting foreign worship. Authorities intensified crackdowns on Muslims, Catholics, and Protestants, arresting clergy and closing churches. The report also highlights ongoing persecution of Falun Gong and Uyghurs, citing forced labor and detention. These findings confirm systematic state control over all religious groups, and international observers note the gravity of these human rights violations.
On January 4, 2026, Pope Leo XIV addressed the crisis in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces. Speaking at the Angelus in Vatican City, the Pope expressed deep concern and urged that the welfare of the Venezuelan people take precedence over other considerations. He called for an end to violence, respect for human rights, and the establishment of justice and peace. Venezuelan bishops also issued a statement rejecting violence and praying for unity and stability. The Church emphasized protecting the poor and ensuring the rule of law during this turbulent period.
A Sudanese Armed Forces drone strike killed at least 11 Christians in a region of Sudan. The attack targeted a procession of congregation members traveling to a church in a village, not the building itself. Sources report 18 others were seriously wounded. Local groups stated that civilians died and were injured in the area, which is controlled by a specific faction. This incident follows other recent drone attacks in the region, including one on a medical clinic and another on a kindergarten. The conflict between the national army and a paramilitary group has severely impacted civilians since April 2023.
The Fides Agency released its annual report, stating that 17 Catholic missionaries and pastoral agents were killed worldwide in 2025. Africa recorded the highest number with ten deaths, including several in a country in West Africa, two in a nation in West Africa, and one each in countries in West Africa, East Africa, and Northeast Africa. The Americas saw four fatalities, with two sisters killed in a Caribbean nation and priests murdered in a North American country and another in North America. Asia accounted for two deaths in countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia, while one priest died in a European country. The report highlights that these individuals were killed while performing daily duties in violent contexts.
Between 2015 and 2025, at least 212 Catholic priests were kidnapped in Nigeria, according to data shared with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). A study by the Nigerian Episcopal Conference documents these abductions across 41 dioceses, representing 70% of the country's ecclesiastical jurisdictions. While 183 victims were released or escaped, 12 were killed and three died from trauma. Four priests remain captive. The violence, driven by jihadist groups, Fulani militias, and criminal gangs, has forced many churches to close and displaced communities. ACN identifies Nigeria as one of the most dangerous countries for Christian clergy.
Persecution Relief reported multiple incidents of violence and legal action against Christians in India. In one state, a mob disrupted a Christmas program, leading to the detention of a church member. In another region, a pastor reported an assault on carol singers. In a third area, a believer was arrested under anti-conversion laws. Meanwhile, a pastor remains jailed in a western state, with hearings scheduled in various provinces. The organization urges prayer for those facing physical attacks, displacement, and prolonged legal battles across the country.
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