On Sunday, May 24, members of the Islamic Jihad Front disrupted a worship service at Misi Sejahtera Church in Panggungharjo Village, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Led by Abdurahman Abu Zaki, approximately 15 individuals demanded the service stop, citing lack of permits and local opposition. The congregation dispersed at 8:30 a.m. to avoid tension. Gugun Gumilar, special staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs, condemned the act as a serious legal violation and coordinated with police for arrests. While local officials noted the church held a Report Certificate, authorities are still reviewing if this suffices for worship use. This incident highlights ongoing challenges for Christian communities in Indonesia regarding building legality and social harmony.
A dual citizen arrested in a neighboring country faces US terrorism charges for coordinating anti-Jewish attacks in a major Western city. Court documents reveal the suspect claims he met with Iran's Supreme Leader shortly before alleged military conflicts. He is accused of directing numerous attacks across Europe using a cryptocurrency-funded network. A group claimed responsibility, though prosecutors link it to a known militia. The suspect was arrested after arson attacks on synagogues and is now facing multiple charges in a US city after cooperating with federal investigators.
In a region of northern Nigeria, armed militants are compelling Christian communities to sign coercive agreements under threat of death. These demands include monthly cash levies, forced labor, sexual access to women, and silence regarding kidnappings. A representative from a local aid organization stated that some communities have rejected these terms and faced continued attacks, while others have conceded. Local reports indicate widespread displacement and violence in the area. Data suggests this state has the highest number of kidnapping incidents in the country, with billions of naira in ransoms demanded and paid in recent years.
Christians in Nigeria face escalating violence, kidnappings, and targeted attacks across several regions. In one northern state, armed groups disrupted church services in a village, capturing over 160 people, while schoolgirls were abducted along a local corridor. Another state saw worshippers killed during Palm Sunday in a district, and families murdered in a village. In a northeastern state, extremists destroyed churches and homes in multiple villages. A western state reported the destruction of sacred items in a Catholic Church compound. These incidents have displaced communities and heightened fear, with inadequate protection and accountability reported by the outlet.
Researchers from the University of Kassel announced on Monday that at least 139 cases of sexual, physical, and psychological violence against children occurred in Salvatorian facilities since the Second World War. The study identifies 24 named accused religious men and mentions additional suspects among lay staff. Victims attended homes and schools in German states like North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg, as well as in Austria. The researchers expect a high number of unreported cases and are inviting survivors to confidential interviews. Financial compensation totaling approximately 865,000 euros was paid to 53 victims by the church and dioceses. The findings were presented during an online press conference.
Suspected Fulani gunmen attacked a Christian farming village in Plateau State, Nigeria, killing eight people and injuring at least fifteen others. Residents reported the assault occurred shortly after evening church services, with attackers opening fire on civilians returning home. Local officials from the Mangu Local Government visited the community and injured survivors, promising to cover medical expenses and urging residents to cooperate with security agencies. The incident highlights ongoing violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt, where rural communities frequently face armed attacks and land disputes.
In a region of India, a mob of over 100 Hindu nationalists attacked seven Christians digging a grave near a city. The attackers, armed with sickles and rods, assaulted the men because they refused to allow a Christian burial within the village, claiming it would defile the soil. International Christian Concern reports that more than 35 similar incidents occurred last year. Victims suffered severe injuries. The violence has forced families to flee, with ten households from a district displaced. Pastors also face threats, highlighting ongoing persecution against believers in the region.
A priest in Nigeria reports that violence has become tragically normal across the country. People live in fear from north to south, facing murders, arson, and kidnappings regardless of religion. Recent attacks in various states resulted in deaths and dozens of abductions. The Catholic Church is suffering heavily, with churches burned and villages attacked. Church leaders urge the central government to intervene immediately to protect lives and property. The violence is driven by criminal gangs seeking ransom money, exploiting areas with weak government security presence.
A recent report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom identifies armed Fulani militias as the primary cause of violence against Christians in Nigeria. Operating in the northwest and middle belt regions, these groups have killed thousands and displaced over 1.3 million people. The commission states that attacks often target religious holidays to maximize fear, with militants using motorcycles and firearms. Christian organizations estimate that more than 52,000 Christians have been killed nationwide. In response, a US senator introduced legislation to hold officials accountable for facilitating such violence. The commission warns that attacks will continue unless Nigerian authorities intervene seriously.
A youth movement leader issued a security alert regarding suspicious activities near a specific axis in a district of Plateau State, Nigeria. The group urges residents of several villages in the region to maintain vigilance and conduct night watches. According to the alert, suspected Fulani militias may be planning attacks on these communities. Residents are advised to report unusual behavior, protect vulnerable individuals, and assist local security forces in maintaining safety in the region.
In an interview with ZENIT, Bishop Rafic Nahra of Jerusalem highlights a 40% increase in violence against Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem in 2025. He attributes this radicalization to weak government responses and religious extremism that began in 2023. The report cites incidents in Debel, Lebanon, and Jerusalem, including attacks on clergy and destruction of religious symbols. Bishop Nahra urges educational reform and moderate unity to combat this hostility, noting that such violence drives Christian emigration from areas like Bethlehem and Nazaret.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
On May 24, 2026, members of the Islamic Jihad Front disrupted a worship service at the Prosperous Mission Church in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The group forced entry into the building, citing incomplete permits and objections from local Muslim residents. Police stood by as the congregation, including children and elderly members, was intimidated and forced to leave. Church officials and government representatives condemned the act as a criminal violation of constitutional rights. A subsequent mediation meeting resulted in an agreement for the church to complete the required local permitting process before resuming activities at the site.
The NGO CAP-LC submitted a statement to the UN Human Rights Council detailing violent attacks on Christian Gospel Mission members in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. On March 8, a professor and a pastor were assaulted with irritant liquid and a hammer. The group states this incident follows years of stigma, harassment, and discrimination fueled by media narratives. CAP-LC urges the Council to investigate the attack and the broader environment that enabled it, citing violations of religious freedom and privacy rights. The filing emphasizes that ordinary believers face threats despite not being accused of crimes.
Reports indicate widespread religious persecution in Colombia, especially in conflict zones and among marginalized rural, Afro-Colombian, and indigenous communities. Although worship appears free, armed groups have forcibly closed numerous churches and assassinated many pastors recently. Christians are also targeted for refusing to join illegal militias. Furthermore, indigenous believers face discrimination and banishment due to court rulings denying them equal religious rights. These documented cases likely represent only a fraction of the total violations occurring across the country, highlighting the severe risks faced by believers in these regions.
Armed gunmen on a motorcycle killed a pastor, his wife, and daughter in a Colombian city. The attack occurred after a church service, with the couple’s son severely injured. Reports highlight a rising trend of violence against religious leaders in Colombia, with officials noting a significant increase in religious freedom violations. Local authorities stated the victim was well-regarded and had no known conflicts. Advocacy groups urge the government to protect religious figures amid ongoing peace negotiations with armed groups, emphasizing the urgent need for safety measures for clergy and believers in the region.
On April 28, a French Catholic nun working in Jerusalem was violently assaulted by a Jewish settler in the Mount Zion district. The attacker pushed and kicked the researcher near the Tomb of David before a bystander intervened. She suffered bruises and required medical care. Israeli authorities arrested the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Yona Schreiber from the West Bank settlement of Peduel, on April 29. The nun stated she forgave her attacker but demanded justice and safety for Christians. She highlighted the crucial role of bystanders who prevented further harm during the incident.
Claudine Blanchard, a laywoman in the Emmanuel Community, released a memoir accusing Father Bernard Peyrous of sexual abuse spanning ten years starting in 2003. The allegations cite incidents in L’Île-Bouchard and Paray-le-Monial. La Croix identifies Peyrous as the suspect, noting he faces a judicial investigation for rape while denying criminal wrongdoing. The Emmanuel Community acknowledged past failures in supporting victims and is establishing an independent commission. This release coincides with ongoing scrutiny of the group following similar scandals involving other religious figures.
The Gospel of Light evangelical church in Balakliia, Ukraine, was struck by a Russian airstrike on May 23. Local authorities confirmed the building suffered extensive damage, including a collapsed roof, but reported no injuries as the sanctuary was empty. Mohabat News and the church leadership stated the attack occurred around 4 p.m. Residents and church members gathered to mourn the destruction and began clearing debris the following day. The outlet notes that religious sites have been frequent targets since the 2022 invasion, with hundreds of places of worship damaged across the country.
Spanish prosecutors have requested a 72-year prison sentence for a 42-year-old priest accused of drugging and raping at least four women in Málaga between 2014 and 2018. The Diocese of Málaga has removed the cleric from his duties and apologized for the crimes. The bishop stated the church will cooperate fully with authorities and investigate any institutional failures. A verdict is expected in late May or early June. The accused was arrested in September 2023 and remains in pre-trial detention.
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