Archbishop Warda said that many Christians have either left or are planning to leave the country because of the ongoing economic hardship, and that young people “ask for jobs, not just to receive donations.” He explained that, even though persecution is no longer their main concern, “the pressure of being a minority is real.”

In a statement sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Kazah asked for prayers for Father Ukeh’s “urgent and safe release” and condemned the “incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless citizens.”

“There is no peace of mind. We cannot sleep with our eyes closed. We cannot even travel short distances without fear. But we still thank God.”

Currently, with the danger of sniper fire and bombs, all residents are confined to the house, except for courageous volunteers who venture out for firewood. And on top of all their suffering, this small community in Sudan feels that the rest of the world has forgotten about them.

Bishop Samson Shukardin of Hyderabad, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, said that Christians and other beleaguered minorities will never feel safe in their country unless false allegations of blasphemy are banned.

Martín Alberto Peña, 47, was born in Mitú and is ACN’s only donor in the entire region. He told the foundation that he is sustained by the power of prayer, because “with God, anything is possible,”