Persecutions

Syria November 6, 2017

Syria's Antioch Church patriarch: US sanctions are hurting Christians too

His Beatitude John X, the Damascus-based leader of the Antioch Christian Church, wrapped up his recent visit to the United States with a desperate appeal for American leadership to bring an end to the suffering in Syria, assist in locating the whereabouts of three kidnapped church leaders, and help secure the future of Christianity in the volatile region.

Christianity November 2, 2017

Series of attacks in Egypt targeting Coptic Christians forces churches to close

Egypt has been one of the worst places for Christian persecution in recent months.

Middle East October 25, 2017

Iraqi Christians forced to flee homes again after skirmishes between Kurds and central government

The first Iraqi Christians to return home after their village was freed from Islamic State control were forced to flee yet again Tuesday as Peshmerga forces stormed the area, a dark turn in what was broadly considered a “success story” of rebuilding in Northern Iraq.

North Korea October 25, 2017

North Korean defector describes 'life of hell' for Christians

Choi Kwanghyuk is one of the lucky ones. He was able to free himself from the clutches of a brutal dictatorship in his native North Korea where he was persecuted by the government for his Christian faith.

Christianity October 3, 2017

Kurdish referendum inspires Iraq's Christians to fight for their own independence amid fears of being caught in crossfire

Kurds in Iraq voted overwhelmingly last week in favor of seeking full independence from the central government in Baghdad – setting off a firestorm of international retaliation, including strong objections from the U.S.

Persecutions September 27, 2017

Photos of religious minority children pleading for Trump's help show urgency for Iraq aid

As the deadline looms for the State Department to provide over $1 billion in aid to the religious minorities in Iraq, the children of Christian and Yazidi refugees are pleading directly to president Trump to take action.

Persecutions September 27, 2017

Turkey confiscates some 50 religious properties from Christian minority

Tensions are high among Turkey’s oldest indigenous community over fears that a recent land grab from the government could lead to their cultural extinction.

Persecutions July 6, 2017

How the Pakistani government just helped an enslaved Christian community

Accused of not doing enough to protect the Christian minority, the Pakistani government has taken steps to improve the quality of life for a community of poor Christians living in squalor as bonded laborers in a rural area of Jaranwala in the Punjab Province.

Faith July 5, 2017

Knights of Columbus donates millions to fight Christian persecution

The Catholic organization has made it clear that 'words are not enough.'

Middle East June 1, 2017

Egypt attack: Why are Coptic Christians being targeted?

Masked gunman opened fire on a bus in Egypt that was carrying Coptic Christians to a monastery on Friday, killing at least 26 people, including children, and wounding 25, officials said.

Christianity May 26, 2017

Egypt fights back after 28 Coptic Christians killed in bus attack

A team of gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Coptic Christians south of Cairo Friday, killing at least 28, including children, and wounding 22 other people, Egyptian officials confirmed.