On May 17, an explosion occurred in the churchyard of St. Paulus Nabuni Mbamogo Station Church in Sugapa, Intan Jaya, Indonesia, following a Sunday Mass. Four individuals, identified as Petrus Pogau, Robert Nabelau, Pius Pogau, and Piter Nabelau, sustained serious injuries. Father Yanuarius Yance Yogi stated that victims were being transported to hospitals. The Papuan People’s Council representative Yulius Wandagau attributed the violence to the ongoing armed conflict between Indonesian forces and the Free Papua Movement. He urged security units to distinguish between combatants and civilians to prevent further human rights violations in the region.
Following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s electoral win in West Bengal, Christian and Muslim communities report increased intimidation and vandalism. Incidents include mob attacks on homes and churches in various districts, as well as threats against students in specific towns. The new state government has also implemented policies restricting religious practices, such as limiting mosque loudspeakers and cattle slaughter, while replacing universal health schemes. These administrative changes, combined with street-level coercion, have raised concerns about the erosion of the region’s pluralist traditions. Senior religious leaders advise caution, urging dialogue rather than immediate condemnation, as minorities seek safety and coexistence.
During a Catholic service in Hanau, Germany, on Sunday, unknown individuals fired steel pellets through several church windows. The incident occurred in front of approximately 200 attendees, who noticed the event due to loud shattering sounds and flying glass fragments. Police reported that while no one was immediately injured, one person later claimed to have been hit by glass shards. Investigators found steel and plastic pellets at the site, suggesting the use of a slingshot or airsoft weapon. Authorities are investigating for property damage, estimating the cost at 5,000 euros, and stated there is currently no evidence of a religious motive.
A Christian publisher and his wife are imprisoned in a city in Shaanxi province, China, for illegally printing Christian literature. After their company was raided, they were arrested and sentenced. According to their son, the couple endures torture, starvation, and abuse from guards and other inmates. The husband suffers from a serious spinal condition and difficulty eating, while the wife experiences headaches and ongoing mistreatment. Their health has deteriorated rapidly since their detention. International Christian Concern reports these details regarding their treatment in Chinese prisons.
Residents in a village in Kaduna State, Nigeria, are warning of a potential assault by suspected Fulani Ethnic Militia members. The alert stems from threats issued by armed groups in nearby forests and suspicious movements of fighters observed by locals. Villagers are urging the Nigerian military and security agencies to deploy personnel immediately to the community and surrounding areas. The goal is to prevent violence and protect lives and property from the impending threat.
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Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Baqeer Gashua on UnsplashPersecuted church
Mohabat News reports that Chinese mining investments in Nigeria are linked to violence against Christians by Fulani extremists in the Middle Belt. The outlet claims China provides funds and weapons, including Norinco rifles, to militias who displace locals to seize mineral rights. Citing Open Doors and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, the article states Nigeria is the deadliest country for Christians, with thousands killed since 2024. Survivors describe attacks in Plateau State, while analysts allege Beijing uses these conflicts to secure lithium and tin resources.
One month after Pope Leo XIV visited Cameroon, the Anglophone conflict in the North West and South West regions remains unresolved. The Pope traveled to a city in the North West, a major urban center, and the capital, urging peace and reconciliation. However, observers note that violence, including recent incidents in a specific village, continues. The government maintains military operations, while separatist groups enforce lockdowns. Civilian life is disrupted by instability and restrictions. Additionally, the death of a detainee has raised concerns about justice. Despite the Pope's moral appeal, neither side has taken visible steps toward negotiation, leaving civilians to bear the burden of the ongoing crisis.
Ukrainian pastors report that congregations continue to worship despite ongoing Russian attacks on churches. In Slovyansk, Pastor Oleksandr Pavenko’s church was damaged by a guided bomb, yet 170 people attended services the following Sunday. In Zaporizhzhia, a missile strike killed one person and damaged a Baptist church, but members still gather for worship. According to documentary producer Colby Barrett and pastor Mykhailo Brytsyn, these incidents reflect a broader pattern of targeting religious sites. A bipartisan US bill aims to sanction those responsible for violating religious freedom. Despite the destruction and loss of life, believers remain resilient and continue their faith practices.
The National Council of Churches in India condemned a violent ambush in a region of northeastern India that resulted in the deaths of three pastors and injuries to others. The victims were members of a local ethnic community traveling between two towns after attending a religious convention. Church leadership expressed profound grief and demanded a thorough, impartial investigation into the attack. They urged government authorities to ensure justice by holding the perpetrators accountable. Additionally, a regional Christian advocacy group issued an appeal for the safe release of hostages and the restoration of peace in the affected area, highlighting the severe risks faced by believers.
According to OIDAC Europe, anti-Christian incidents surged across Europe in April, with 38 recorded hate crimes. France led with 10 cases, followed by Germany and Italy with seven each. The report highlights violent attacks during Easter, including assaults on clergy in Ireland and Spain, and vandalism in France and Italy. The organization warns that unreported crimes likely indicate a broader vulnerability for Christian communities and worship sites across the continent.
Three Baptist church leaders were ambushed and killed in a region of India, while four others were critically injured. The victims were senior figures from a local Baptist community, known for peacebuilding efforts between ethnic groups. The attack highlights the fragile peace in the area, which has suffered years of ethnic clashes. According to the report, the violence underscores civilian vulnerability amid unresolved territorial disputes and ongoing instability. The incident has alarmed Christian communities across the northeast, raising concerns about the safety of religious minorities in a state marked by entrenched divisions and militarized zones.
Russia launched over 670 drones and 56 missiles against Ukraine in the night between May 13 and 14. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, noting they contradict claims that the war is ending. The capital, Kyiv, suffered 24 deaths, including three children, and 47 injuries, with significant damage in the Darnytskyi district. Attacks also hit infrastructure in Kremenchuk and Chornomorsk, and fires broke out near Chernobyl. Auxiliary Bishop Oleksandr Yazlovetskyi described the situation as desperate, noting that civilians have largely remained in their homes despite the intense bombardment.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Sister Nadir Santos da Silva, a 45-year-old Carmelite nun, drowned in the sea near Catania, Italy, on May 11. She died while trying to rescue three fellow sisters who fell into the water near Vaccarizzo. Archbishop Luigi Renna stated that her selfless act reflected her daily commitment to serving others. The tragedy occurred at the Villaggio Delfino area. A funeral was held in San Giovanni La Punta, presided over by the Archbishop. Her community expressed deep sorrow, honoring her dedication to the Gospel and her mission in Italy and abroad.
In a seminary in northern Nigeria, 277 trainees pursue priesthood despite severe violence, kidnappings, and attacks on Christian infrastructure. The institution, serving eight dioceses, has faced multiple assaults, including the 2020 kidnapping and murder of a seminarian. Rector Father Joel Haruna states these young men aim to heal communities devastated by terrorism and displacement. Due to limited local resources, the seminary relies on support from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). ACN launched the 'Heal Nigeria' campaign to fund pastoral and psychological aid, enabling future priests to minister to victims of the ongoing crisis.
In Sierra Leone, a young woman named Lucee fled to avoid initiation into a secret society known for violent rituals. After hearing a pastor speak against these practices, she refused participation, prompting her mother to reject her decision. On the day of the ceremony, Lucee sought refuge at the pastor’s home, where his wife hid her in the forest. Although secret society members attacked the pastor, Lucee escaped. Her sister was forced into the initiation and died that same day. The pastor has since relocated Lucee to a safe place, where she is now following Christ. The Voice of the Martyrs reports these details regarding persecution in the region.
At least six unarmed residents were killed in coordinated attacks south of a major city in Plateau State, Nigeria, on Monday. The violence occurred while the state governor was touring threatened villages and holding town hall meetings. Local leaders and experts suggest the timing was intended to mock the governor’s authority and demonstrate the terrorists' impunity. The attacks, carried out by gunmen described as speaking the Fulani dialect, followed weeks of unrest that have displaced many and killed over 50 people since April. The governor condemned the violence and promised radical measures, but shootings continued near his events. Experts cite a government capacity gap for the ongoing insecurity.
Ochora Awali, a 28-year-old man in Sironko District, Uganda, suffered serious head injuries after being beaten by his Muslim in-laws on May 2. According to Awali, they lured him to their home in Nakaloke Town under the false pretense that his child was critically ill. Upon arrival, relatives attacked him for converting to Christianity on New Year's Eve, leaving him unconscious. He was later found in a clinic in Mbale. The incident highlights ongoing religious persecution in Uganda, where laws protect religious freedom despite social tensions. Awali is currently receiving hospital treatment and has not yet decided whether to report the attack to police.
Attackers broke into a Catholic church in a city in Bangladesh, assaulting a priest who sustained injuries but is now stable after receiving medical care. The intruders stole cash and a passport, causing damage to the building before fleeing. Local authorities are investigating the incident as a robbery. According to an Open Doors partner, the attack has heightened fears among the Christian minority, who feel vulnerable as a small demographic in a region marked by political unrest. The community worries about safety during worship gatherings.
A senior church leader in India has condemned the ambush killing of three Baptist ministers in Manipur. The victims were traveling for a religious meeting when militants attacked their vehicles in a specific district. A local human rights organization described the act as premeditated terrorism targeting peacebuilders between Kuki and Naga communities. The archbishop appealed for calm, dialogue, and an end to retaliation amid ongoing regional violence. He urged authorities to act fairly to restore community confidence and peace in the state, emphasizing the need for justice without further bloodshed.
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