Persecution Outlook: Ethiopia

Catholics in Ethiopia are an extreme minority, representing only about one percent of the population, but still, they are prominent and productive. In fact, the Church runs many of the country’s schools and social institutions, and baptisms have increased, even in areas with traditional tribal religions. Despite this, though, Catholics have reason to be afraid of persecution and violence: while Ethiopia has economically improved, poverty remains a fact of life; conflict between insurgents and the government has intensified, resulting in the deaths of Christians; and in certain regions, Islam has become more radical.