Four Years of Faith Under Fire: ACN projects’ Impact in Ukraine (2022–2026)

Since February 2022, Ukraine has endured a full-scale war that has reshaped daily life across the country. Cities and villages have been damaged or destroyed, millions of people displaced, and families left facing deep material, emotional, and spiritual hardship. Over the past year (2025), prolonged negotiations without any clear outcome have deepened uncertainty, testing people’s inner strength and faith, leaving many struggling to hold on to hope as they wait for peace that still feels out of reach.

Through our benefactors’ solidarity and unwavering commitment, ACN has ensured that the Church in Ukraine is not alone. Thanks to our benefactors, ACN continues to accompany priests, religious, and faithful of both rites, Greek and Latin, bringing hope, stability, and pastoral care even during ongoing conflict.

So far, 1,256 projects have been approved and funded, alongside 234 Mass stipend projects, for a total support of €30.35 million. Our benefactors’ generosity has taken concrete form through a Church that heals, accompanies, and brings the light of Christ to those most in need.

“May the Lord bless you abundantly for your kindness and care.”
Benedictine Missionary Sisters

What our benefactors made possible in Ukraine

Over the four years of war, our benefactors have enabled 1,256 projects, allowing the Church to respond quickly at first, and then to adapt as the situation evolved.

1. Building Shelters of Hope

Construction represents 23% of our initiatives. ACN has funded heating systems, insulation, and essential repairs—lifelines for parishes and monasteries facing extreme winter conditions and repeated damage.

2. Mobility for the Mission

With public transport disrupted, our benefactors provided vehicles for priests and sisters. Because of their generosity, the Sacraments and humanitarian aid reach even the most isolated “gray zones” near the front lines.

3. Healing the Invisible Wounds

Pastoral projects account for 17% of all initiatives, keeping faith alive and strengthening inner resilience in times of fear and uncertainty.

Alongside this, formation projects represent 15% of total aid. By supporting seminarians and novices, ACN ensured that future priests and religious were not left alone but could continue preparing to serve their people faithfully, even during wartime.

“I learned to live not only in survival mode, but in real life again.” — Natalya, Catechist.

4. Helping them Survive

Although emergency projects make up only 11% of the total number of initiatives, their impact was immense — especially in the first phases of the war, when families were forced to flee overnight. Thanks to our benefactors, “nobody in Ukraine died because of hunger, thirst or lack of basic human needs,” said Mgr. Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of the Catholic Church in Ukraine.

That is because when the war started, ACN benefactors immediately stepped up to help.

Thanks to their contribution, we were one of the first organizations to come to the assistance of the Church in Ukraine. People in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhya, Odesa, and others in the region of Donetsk were grateful to receive our emergency aid. Our benefactors responded immediately to the needs of the Church in Ukraine.

“The Church, as a mother, is taking care of her children.” Mgr. Shevchuk

Thanks to the Mass intentions donated by our benefactors, priests can continue to tend to their flock.

“The Light in the Darkness” – Dnipro

In the winter of 2025/2026, the Capuchin Friars in Dnipro could continue to celebrate Mass by candlelight amidst constant blackouts.

“During massive air raids at night, we do not sleep. We hide in the basement… and yet, in this darkness, we discover how great a gift light and warmth truly are. Your solidarity allows us to remain.”

“A Dream Restored” – Sr. Maria’s Story

Sr. Maria sacrificed her musical education to enter the convent. Through an ACN scholarship, she is now studying composition to serve the Church through sacred music.

“Through music, I proclaim the Good News of God’s infinite Mercy. You have eased our financial burden and allowed me to focus fully on my studies. How good the Lord is!”

“Presence is the Best Medicine” – Mykolaiv

At St. Joseph’s Parish, near the southern front lines, the mission is simple: be there.

“People are not only looking for words of comfort, but above all for presence. Tears cease to be only despair and become prayer.”

“Before the war we had over 80 parishes, but more than half closed, are under occupation or were destroyed”, Greek-Catholic Bishop of Donetsk.

Who Our Benefactors Helped in 2025

Their gifts reached every level of the Church:

• 4,285 Priests supported by Mass stipends.
• 532 Sisters and 14 Brothers provided with existence aid.
• 515 Seminarians enabled to continue their path to the priesthood.
• 4,000 Children found joy through “Holidays with God” camps.

Keep the Mission Alive

The war has tested the inner strength of the Ukrainian people, but our benefactors’ love has proven stronger than fear. As we enter the fifth year of this conflict, the Church’s presence is more vital than ever.

Help us continue to bring the light of Christ to Ukraine.

“Love is stronger than fear, stronger than death.” Sisters of St. Elizabeth, Chornomorsk