Violence Against Christians

There has been a continuous trend of violence against Christians worldwide. As a Catholic who practices loving those around me regardless of their belief system, gender politics, economic or social cultural background, the ongoing violence against Christians have been heart wrenching.

There is very little coverage about these attacks. It’s like the media turns a blind ear/eye when it comes to anything relating to Christians.

Summary:

The persecution of Christians in July 2025, particularly in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reflects a broader pattern of violence against religious minorities in conflict zones. Below is a detailed overview based on available information, focusing on incidents in Syria, the DRC, and other regions, with an emphasis on verified reports and critical analysis of the situation.

Syria

In July 2025, Syria saw significant violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, amid ongoing sectarian tensions following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Key incidents include:

• Suweida Massacre: Reports on X and some outlets claimed that over 1,000 Druze and Christians, including an entire Christian family of 20, were murdered by Islamist militants in Suweida. Specific accounts mentioned an evangelical pastor and his family, including children and elderly parents, being massacred.
• Damascus Church Attack: On June 22, 2025, a suicide bombing at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus killed 25 people, including 24 congregation members, and injured 60. The attack, attributed to the Islamic State (IS) by Syrian authorities, was the first major assault on a Christian target since Assad’s ouster. The government’s response, including the killing of two suspects and the arrest of six others, did little to alleviate fears among Christians, who criticized the new Islamist-led government under Ahmed al-Sharaa for inadequate protection. The Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, John Yazigi, emphasized the government’s responsibility, highlighting growing distrust.
• Latakia and Coastal Violence: Earlier in 2025, particularly in March, massacres in Latakia and other coastal areas killed over 1,500 people, mostly Alawites, with a small number of Christians (at least five documented by SOHR on March 12). While some reports suggested Christians were targeted, Open Doors and other sources clarified that the violence primarily focused on Alawites. Christian deaths were claimed to be incidental rather than faith-based.
• Safita Threats: In early July, leaflets reportedly appeared on church doors in Safita, calling for the murder of Christians, enslavement of women, and looting of homes. However, these claims lack independent verification from reliable sources. This raises the questions about their authenticity.

The new Syrian government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, has faced scrutiny for its ties to former al-Qaeda affiliates, fueling fears among Christians and other minorities. While al-Sharaa has publicly condemned some attacks and promised inclusivity, the presence of foreign jihadist fighters and lax security measures have heightened concerns. The Christian population in Syria, estimated at 300,000–579,000, has dwindled significantly due to ongoing conflict and emigration.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The DRC, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, has seen a surge in violence against Christians by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-affiliated group. Notable incidents in July 2025 include:

• Church Attack in Eastern Congo: On July 26, 2025, at least 21 Christians were killed in an attack on a church in eastern DRC, claimed by the Islamic State-backed ADF. This followed a pattern of targeted violence, with the group exploiting regional instability to attack Christian communities.
• Ongoing ADF Campaign: Earlier in 2025, the ADF was responsible for massacres, including the beheading of 70 Christians in a Protestant church in Kasanga, North Kivu, on February 13. Since Christmas 2024, the ADF has killed at least 287 Christians in targeted attacks. In March, 47 more were killed in Ituri Province. While no specific July incidents of this scale were reported, the ADF’s continued operations suggest persistent threats.
• Context of Violence: The DRC ranks 35th on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, reflecting severe persecution. Over 200 people were killed in Baswagha Chiefdom alone in early 2025, with Christians often targeted due to their faith. The ADF’s tactics include abductions, church attacks, and mass killings, contributing to widespread displacement.

The DRC’s conflict is exacerbated by weak governance, the presence of over 100 armed groups, and Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebels, which distracts from countering the ADF. The international response, including EU sanctions and UN resolutions, has been criticized as insufficient.

Elsewhere in the World

• Nigeria: The 2025 World Watch List notes that 3,100 Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2024, primarily by radicalized Fulani militants. While specific July 2025 incidents are not detailed, the trend of violence continued, with Christians facing abductions and displacement.
• Burkina Faso: Violence against Christians rose sharply, with 201 believers killed in 2024, a fivefold increase from 2023. No specific July 2025 incidents were reported, but the broader trend indicates ongoing risks.
• Mexico: Christians faced heightened violence from criminal groups, with increased abductions and killings in 2024. Mexico ranks 31st on the World Watch List, the highest since 2005.
• Global Trends: Open Doors reports that 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, with 4,476 killed for their faith in 2024. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most violent region, driven by Islamic extremism and weak governance.

Critical Analysis

• Syria: The narrative of widespread Christian massacres in July 2025 appears overstated in some social media reports. While the Damascus church attack was a clear targeting of Christians, other incidents, like those in Suweida, lack corroboration and may reflect disinformation campaigns, as seen in earlier March violence. The new Syrian government’s inability to control jihadist elements raises legitimate concerns, but al-Sharaa’s public commitments to pluralism suggest a complex dynamic. Christians are not the primary targets but remain vulnerable in a volatile environment.
• DRC: The ADF’s attacks are explicitly anti-Christian, exploiting regional chaos to target churches and believers. The lack of global media attention, as noted in some reports, underscores a broader issue of underreporting on African conflicts compared to Middle Eastern ones.
• Media Silence: Claims of media silence, reflect frustration among advocacy groups but may overstate the case. Outlets like Newsweek, Christianity Today, and Vatican News covered Christian persecution, though often with less prominence than other global crises. Social media can amplify unverified claims, necessitating caution.

Conclusion

In July 2025, Christians in Syria faced targeted violence, notably the Damascus church bombing, with unverified reports of broader massacres in Suweida. In the DRC, the ADF’s attack on a church killed at least 21 Christians, part of a sustained campaign of persecution. Globally, Christians in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mexico faced ongoing threats, with sub-Saharan Africa being the epicenter of violence. While some reports, especially may exaggerate or lack verification, the overall trend of persecution is well-documented by groups like Open Doors and SOHR. The international community’s response remains limited, with calls for stronger action to protect religious minorities.

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Meanwhile…

Gaza: Holy Family Church Attack, July 2025

On July 17, 2025, an Israeli tank strike hit the Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Catholic church, located in Gaza City. The attack killed three civilians—Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh (60, church janitor), Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad (84), and Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud (69)—and injured at least ten others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who sustained minor leg injuries. The church, a sanctuary for approximately 600 displaced Palestinians, including Christians, Muslims, and children with special needs, was significantly damaged, with its roof, windows, and parts of the compound affected.

Context and Details

• Background: The Holy Family Church has served as a refuge for Gaza’s small Christian community (about 1,000 before the war) and others since the Israel-Hamas conflict intensified following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. The church was previously targeted in December 2023, when an Israeli sniper killed two women, an incident condemned by the Latin Patriarchate.
• Israeli Response: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the strike as an accident, stating that a “misfired munition” or “stray ammunition” hit the church during operations targeting Hamas. An IDF investigation confirmed civilian injuries and damage, leading to adjustments in targeting protocols and reinforced guidelines for protecting religious sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to protecting civilians and holy sites.
• International Condemnation:
  • Vatican: Pope Leo XIV condemned the attack as a “military attack” and called for an immediate ceasefire, expressing sorrow for the victims and solidarity with Father Romanelli, who had regularly updated the late Pope Francis on Gaza’s situation.
  • UN: Secretary-General António Guterres labeled the strike “unacceptable,” citing violations of international law protecting religious sites.
  • Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the attack on civilians “unacceptable,” stating that no military action could justify such behavior.
  • U.S.: President Donald Trump expressed frustration to Netanyahu, with the White House calling the strike a mistake and urging an investigation.
• Church Leaders’ Response: The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the targeting of civilians and sacred spaces, noting the church’s role as a refuge. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visited the church on July 18, delivering aid and ensuring the evacuation of the injured. They denounced the attack as a violation of international law, including the Geneva Conventions, which protect religious sites unless used for military purposes.
• Claims of Intent: A report by The Pillar, suggested the strike might have been retaliatory, linked to Christian leaders’ condemnation of settler violence in Taybeh, West Bank. These claims remain unverified and speculative.

Broader Context

• Gaza’s Religious Sites: The war has seen significant destruction of religious sites. The Church of Saint Porphyrius, one of the oldest churches in Gaza, was hit in October 2023, killing 18 people. Over 1,000 mosques have reportedly been destroyed since October 2023, though the BBC verified 72 mosque attacks and three church attacks by December 2023. These incidents have been described as cultural genocide, impacting Gaza’s heritage and displacing communities.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The strike occurred amid Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, with over 58,500 Palestinian deaths reported by July 2025. The church was sheltering vulnerable groups, and its destruction exacerbated the crisis, with survivors like Attallah Terzi describing intense fear and loss.

Critical Analysis

While the IDF claims the strike was accidental, the church’s known coordinates and its role as a civilian shelter raise questions about targeting precision, especially given prior attacks on religious sites. The international outcry, including from the Vatican and UN, underscores the protected status of religious sites under international law, though Israel’s assertion of Hamas using civilian areas for military purposes complicates the narrative. The attack’s timing, during ceasefire talks in Doha, highlights the ongoing failure to protect civilians in Gaza.

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I pray for the hand of God upon all the dead and injured, their families and their communities. Let the faithful have the strength to stand firm in Jesus, grounded in the word of God and the Church.

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🙏💕