On Easter Sunday, armed attackers struck two churches in a region of northern Nigeria, killing five people and abducting 31 worshippers. Although police had increased security deployments prior to the holiday, the assault proceeded during the resurrection mass celebrations. The kidnappers were later forced to release the hostages after a confrontation with the Nigerian army. The group Aid to the Church in Need reports that this incident highlights the escalating violence in the region, where criminal bands and extremist groups frequently target Christian communities. The victims were returned to their village following the rescue operation.
A senior church leader in Nigeria describes his nation as a failed state due to escalating violence. He attributes the crisis to terrorism in the northeast and armed banditry in the northwest, which has led to numerous kidnappings and church attacks. The archbishop notes that systemic discrimination against Christians persists despite constitutional guarantees. He argues that conflicts between herders and farmers are primarily economic rather than religious, though politicians may exploit them. The situation has forced many priests to flee their parishes, leaving many non-functional in his jurisdiction. The Church aims to heal divisions while facing severe security threats.
A bishop in Nigeria’s Taraba State reported that over 90,000 Christians are fleeing violence from Fulani militias. Following peaceful protests, several presbyteries were vandalized. The bishop stated that local forces are overwhelmed and impunity prevails. The crisis has displaced many, who fear refugee camps, while a cathedral was destroyed by fire. The group says the situation creates a humanitarian emergency with disrupted education and food shortages. This mass exodus highlights the severe persecution faced by believers in the region, forcing families to abandon their homes to escape ongoing attacks and destruction of their places of worship.
A humanitarian organization has launched a campaign to support local Christians facing extreme violence in Nigeria. The group identifies three main drivers: jihadist factions in the north, criminal kidnapping bands seeking ransom, and radical pastoralists in the Middle Belt. These conflicts have caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, including over 1.5 million in a specific northern state. The initiative aims to highlight the Church's role in promoting peace and provide urgent aid to victims living in precarious conditions without access to healthcare or education. The foundation urges awareness and support for those affected by these overlapping crises.
Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) is intensifying emergency assistance in Lebanon following the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East. The foundation is focusing on establishing medical points in the south, particularly in Qlayaa, to support displaced persons and address shortages of medication and equipment. ACN is also providing food and basic goods to thousands of internally displaced people in Sidon and Baalbek. The aid, coordinated with local church partners, includes shelter in parishes and psychological support for children. This expansion builds on previous support provided during the 2024 Gaza war conflict.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Marisa Cornelsen on UnsplashGood news and persecution
A Catholic parish in Gaza has started Holy Week celebrations despite ongoing warfare and humanitarian shortages. A priest reports that liturgies will proceed with adaptations, such as holding services indoors if necessary. The Palm Sunday procession occurred in the parish courtyard under fire, leaving shrapnel marks on the roof. The community faces significant losses, with approximately 60 Christians killed since the conflict began. Despite destruction and a lack of reconstruction materials, the parish continues to serve as a center for education and support for displaced residents, including Muslim students, while praying for peace and an end to the war in the region.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Jametlene Reskp on UnsplashPersecuted church
Monsignor Jules Boutros, the Syro-Catholic bishop of Beirut, told Aid to the Church in Need that the situation in Lebanon is catastrophic. He stated that the risk of bombing is everywhere, challenging claims that Israeli strikes target only Hezbollah. Over one million people have been displaced, including in southern towns where Christians and a priest were killed. Boutros noted that while some religious divisions have emerged, Sunni, Druze, and Christian communities remain united against the war. Churches are serving as shelters, but urgent aid for fuel and supplies is still needed.
A bishop in Spain presided over the presentation of a global religious freedom report by Aid to the Church in Need. The event featured testimony from a priest who survived persecution by ISIS in a village in northern Iraq. The bishop urged attendees to sign a manifesto defending religious liberty. The report states that over 5.4 billion people live in countries where religious freedom is severely restricted. The manifesto aims to pressure international bodies to protect minority communities and condemn religious persecution globally, highlighting the urgent need for global solidarity with persecuted believers.
A senior archbishop in Nigeria spoke during the launch of an international aid campaign. He warned that a deliberate strategy aims to suppress Christianity through violence from extremist groups and criminals. The leader noted that religious laws restrict non-Muslims in the north and that clergy face repeated kidnappings. He criticized recent military actions in a specific region for escalating tensions. The archbishop urged international action and emphasized the need for trauma healing centers for victims. He highlighted devotion to the Virgin Mary as a source of strength for the faithful enduring persecution.
Mariella Boutros, ACN project coordinator in Lebanon, states that the fragile peace collapsed after airstrikes on Beirut on March 13 killed 25 people. The conflict, reignited following the death of Iran’s supreme leader, has caused approximately one million internal displacements. According to the Ministry of Public Health, 678 people have died, including Father Pierre El-Raï. Boutros emphasizes that the Church remains a vital bulwark for Christians in the region, providing shelter and support despite limited resources. She warns that if Church institutions fail, a mass exodus of Christians from the Middle East could occur, destabilizing communities in neighboring countries like Syria.
A major aid organization presented its 2025 World Religious Freedom Report in a city in Spain, hosted at a university and a local parish. The event was led by a bishop from that region, alongside a university rector and an ACN representative. A bishop from Mozambique spoke about the severe persecution of Christians in a northern region, where jihadist insurgents have imposed Sharia law since 2017. ACN states that over 5.4 billion people lack religious freedom in more than 60 countries. The foundation urges governments to sign a manifesto defending this fundamental right.
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More than 30,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon following a wave of nighttime airstrikes on March 2, according to government figures. The attacks targeted southern Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley, intensifying tensions after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for missile launches toward Israel. ACN International president Regina Lynch warned that civilians, particularly Christians, are often the most vulnerable in such conflicts. Local bishops in Saida, Tyre, and Baalbek reported that schools and church facilities are sheltering displaced families. While the Lebanese government has opened emergency shelters, the situation remains unstable, with dioceses preparing to request international aid if the escalation continues.
In Alma Sha'ab, a Christian village in southern Lebanon, Vicar Maroun Youssef Ghafari told Aid to the Church in Need that his community will remain despite Israeli evacuation orders. This decision follows the death of his brother, Sami Ghafari, in a missile strike on March 8, and the killing of Father Pierre al-Raï in nearby Qlayaa. Ghafari fears that leaving again would result in permanent displacement and further destruction of their homes. Although the area is predominantly Shiite, these villages are Christian. The priest emphasized that staying is an act of faith and loyalty to their land, while expressing gratitude for ACN's material and medical support during the escalating conflict.
A bishop presided over the presentation of a global religious freedom report at a parish in Spain. A Nigerian priest described Christian persecution in Nigeria by militant groups. The bishop urged attendees to sign a manifesto defending religious liberty, noting that the Church faces persecution in many regions. The report states that over 5.4 billion people live in states where religious freedom is severely violated, with 62 countries lacking full religious liberty. This highlights the urgent need for international support and awareness regarding the widespread suppression of faith communities worldwide.
Father Pierre El Rai, a Maronite priest and ACN collaborator in southern Lebanon, was killed during a bombing on March 10, 2026. The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need reports he was assisting victims when another attack occurred. He served the parish of Klayaa in the Diocese of Tyre. ACN also confirmed the death of Sami Ghafari, a 70-year-old Christian in Aalma el Chaab. The foundation urges prayers for peace in the Middle East as violence escalates in the region.
A diocesan presentation of the 2025 Religious Freedom in the World Report by Aid to the Church in Need took place in a city in southern Spain. An auxiliary bishop presided over the event, which was held at a local community center. An Iraqi priest, who suffered persecution by ISIS, shared his testimony with attendees. The ACN director in Spain also attended. The report states that over 5.4 billion people live in countries where religious freedom is severely violated, with 62 nations lacking full religious liberty. The document highlights global vulnerabilities against this fundamental human right.
The Spanish Congress of Deputies has approved a non-binding motion to protect Christians facing persecution worldwide. The measure passed with 19 votes in favor and 18 abstentions. During the debate, deputy Maribel Sánchez cited the 2025 Religious Freedom in the World Report by Aid to the Church in Need. The report states that over 400 million Christians are discriminated against or persecuted. It highlights thousands of killings in countries like Nigeria and Syria between 2022 and 2023. The initiative aims to address the global violation of religious freedom rights.
A Catholic diocese in Mauritania has celebrated its 60th anniversary. A bishop noted that the small community of foreign believers faces significant difficulties due to the country's role as a transit hub for clandestine migration. Resources are scarce, and the Church lacks legal personality, limiting its ability to generate income. Despite Islam being the official religion, there are no open persecutions, though Salafist influences are growing. The diocese focuses on charitable work, vocational training, and supporting migrants, relying on international aid to sustain its pastoral activities.
Monseñor Jan Sobilo, auxiliary bishop of the Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia diocese in Ukraine, recently visited the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) headquarters in Germany to share updates on the region. He stated that despite the ongoing conflict since 2014 and the 2022 invasion, faith is growing among locals. ACN has provided essential structural and material support since 1991, enabling priests to assist displaced persons who often find spiritual comfort alongside food aid. Sobilo noted that the Greek Catholic Church membership rose from 8 to 12 percent recently. Although air raids are frequent in cities like Kyiv, residents remain resilient, with many turning to the Church for sacraments and hope during Lent.
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