Christians across the globe are facing escalating violence, discrimination, and human rights abuses, according to the latest report by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Released on Oct. 22, Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2022-24 highlighted a significant worsening of Christian persecution in most of the countries surveyed.
The report, covering the period from August 2022 to June 2024, provided a comprehensive analysis of the situation for Christians in 18 countries of concern.
From Nicaragua in Latin America to Myanmar in the Far East and Burkina Faso in West Africa, the findings reveal a troubling increase in oppression and violence against Christian communities.
According to the report, militant Islam is identified as a primary driver of persecution in all six African countries reviewed.
The document noted that “the epicenter of militant Islamist violence has shifted from the Middle East to Africa,” leading to the mass migration of Christian communities.
This displacement, it said, has destabilized and disenfranchised these communities, raising concerns about the long-term survival of the Church in these key regions.
Major countries where Christian persecution has intensified include global powers like China and India, along with Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.
For the first time in the report’s 18-year history, Nicaragua is featured due to severe measures targeting Christians, including the mass detention and expulsion of clergy.
The report included testimonies from survivors of anti-Christian attacks and detailed accounts of incidents gathered through ACN’s local contacts.
Recurring issues highlighted in the document include the forced displacement of Christians following extremist attacks, the forced marriage and conversion of Christian women and girls, and the intimidation and kidnapping of clergy.
Additionally, derogatory content targeting Christianity in school textbooks is noted as a persistent issue.
Other key findings in the report included a surge in violent attacks against Christians in Pakistan, often triggered by blasphemy accusations and the detention of over 850 people under anti-conversion laws in India.
The report emphasized that persecution is being carried out by both state and non-state actors, including terrorist organizations, religious extremists, and criminal gangs.
“Authoritarian regimes, including those in China, Eritrea, India, and Iran, have increased repressive measures against Christians, either in the name of religious nationalism or state secularism/communism,” the report read.
Measures such as tougher sentencing for perceived insults against state ideology, confiscation of places of worship, and the arrest of clergy and laity are cited as tactics used to suppress Christian communities.
Vietnam is the only country where a slight improvement was noted, thanks to steps taken to re-establish diplomatic ties with the Vatican. However, the overall outlook remains grim, with Christian persecution worsening in numerous regions worldwide.
