News
South Sudan: The bishop who brought his diocese back to life
When Bishop Stephen Nyodho was appointed for the Diocese of Malakal everything had been destroyed. No buildings, no services, and no flock. With courage and leading by example, he began to rebuild: First trust, and then infrastructure. The city of Malakal, in South Sudan, used to be home to dozens of thousands of people before […]
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Christians of Yaroun, southern Lebanon, fear they will never return home
The Christian residents of the south-Lebanese border town of Yaroun…
ACN mourns Syrian archbishop who never abandoned his flock
Archbishop Jeanbart believed that had it not been for the…
Remembering Sudan: A responsibility that we must all bear, not just the governments
A missionary warns that the world has forgotten about Sudan,…
Muslim solidarity is “sign of hope” in Mozambique, says bishop
The statement comes in the wake of a devastating attack…
Islamists reduce historic church to rubble in northern Mozambique
The attack on the parish of St Louis de Montfort…
South Sudan: The bishop who brought his diocese back to life
When Bishop Stephen Nyodho was appointed for the Diocese of…
Statement on desecration of Christian statue in Lebanon
ACN calls on all to pray for the Christian communities…
Equatorial Guinea’s spiritual preparation for historic Papal trip
The local Church hopes that there will be a “before…
The Bishops of Angola hope that the Pope’s visit will boost Angolan youth and heal the wounds of the past
Peace is more than the absence of war, say Angolan…
List of News
Christians of Yaroun, southern Lebanon, fear they will never return home
The Christian residents of the south-Lebanese border town of Yaroun are living in fear that they will never be able to return to the land of their ancestors. Fr Charles...
ACN mourns Syrian archbishop who never abandoned his flock
Archbishop Jeanbart believed that had it not been for the care of God the Christians of Syria would have been wiped out during the civil war. It was with sadness...
Remembering Sudan: A responsibility that we must all bear, not just the governments
A missionary warns that the world has forgotten about Sudan, a country currently experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world due to a three-year-long civil war. In an interview...
Muslim solidarity is “sign of hope” in Mozambique, says bishop
The statement comes in the wake of a devastating attack against a landmark Catholic church and compound located in the region of Meza, Cabo Delgado. The Muslim community of Mozambique...
“Do not be afraid, just believe”: First interview with new Chaldean Patriarch Amel Shamon Nona
In 2015, the then Archbishop of Mosul left for Australia after his entire flock was exiled following the rise of the Islamic State. One decade later, he returns to Iraq,...
Islamists reduce historic church to rubble in northern Mozambique
The attack on the parish of St Louis de Montfort did not inflict any casualties on the missionaries but generated widespread panic among the Christian population. A historic church in...
South Sudan: The bishop who brought his diocese back to life
When Bishop Stephen Nyodho was appointed for the Diocese of Malakal everything had been destroyed. No buildings, no services, and no flock. With courage and leading by example, he began...
Ukraine: Nuncio warns of growing fatigue and spiritual needs amid war
Archbishop Kulbokas describes the reality of the front line and the role of priests accompanying soldiers. The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, has described the situation in the...
Holy Land increasingly emptied of Christians: “We dream of reaching even 5%, but we are far from that”
In an address to representatives of Aid to the Church in Need, Benedictine Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel offered a stark and personal account of the fragile and rapidly shrinking Christian presence...
Statement on desecration of Christian statue in Lebanon
ACN calls on all to pray for the Christian communities in Lebanon, and for all those involved in regional conflicts to uphold and respect religious freedom and respect. Aid to...
Equatorial Guinea’s spiritual preparation for historic Papal trip
The local Church hopes that there will be a “before and an after” this visit, which comes over four decades after the last. The Church in Equatorial Guinea is in...
The Bishops of Angola hope that the Pope’s visit will boost Angolan youth and heal the wounds of the past
Peace is more than the absence of war, say Angolan bishops as Pope Leo visits Pope Leo will visit Angola on 18 April, as part of a trip to Africa...
Algeria: Visit of Pope Leo XIV bolsters mission of small, vibrant Church and dialogue with Islam
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria yesterday, 13 April, for a historic visit that shines a spotlight on the small but vibrant local Church and the role of dialogue between...
Bishop Dassi on the Pope’s Visit: “The Church in Cameroon is vibrant, but the Anglophone conflict remains an open wound”
As Pope Leo XIV prepares to visit Cameroon on 15 and 16 April, pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) interviewed Bishop Emmanuel Dassi, of Bafia Diocese, who...
Aid worker says people feel “dehumanised” as Lebanon buckles under bombings
Among the priorities is the reopening of schools and paying teacher’s salaries, as these play a crucial role in spreading Christian values in the region. People are feeling “scared, angry...
Angola. “We cannot host the ‘Messenger of Peace’ with our hearts full of hate”
As the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to hear the Gospel prepares to receive a visit from Pope Leo XIV, the Church makes a renewed appeal for reconciliation in Angola....
Christian Villages in South Lebanon: Security Alert
Faced with the pending withdrawal of the Lebanese Army from the south of the country, Christians who are attached to their land have expressed their concern with the future. Four...
Middle East: Holy Week begins under the sign of the cross
ACN expresses concern over Palm Sunday restrictions in Jerusalem, Syria and Gaza, and conveys its support for Christians in the Holy Land. The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church...
Paschal hope among the ruins in Gaza
Holy Week has begun against a backdrop of persistent war and shortages in the Catholic compound in Gaza. Despite everything, the community intends to celebrate Easter to the full, sustained...
Nigeria: “Holy Week for us is not history, it is reality. My people are living an exodus”
The bishop of Wukari tells ACN about the suffering of his people and says that the federal government of Nigeria must do more to stop violence. The Diocese of Wukari,...
Jerusalem: Christian schools under threat
On 10 March 2026, the Israeli Ministry of Education announced that no work permits will be issued for the 2026-2027 academic year to Palestinian teachers residing in the occupied West...
Lebanon. “This is not a just war; it is a defeat for us all”
Bishop Jules Boutros, from Lebanon, tells ACN that even though the Israeli attacks are supposedly against Hezbollah, they are affecting all Lebanese. As Israel continues to attack several sites in...
War in the Middle East: ACN increases emergency aid to Lebanon
Faced with the recent escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has significantly increased its aid to the country. Currently the focus...
“We are a Good Friday people”: Mandalay archbishop marks one year after Myanmar earthquake
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Myanmar earthquake, which struck on March 28 2025, Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay—one of the most affected areas—has recalled in...
Priest warns of ‘guerrilla warfare’ as dozens killed by suicide bombers
A PRIEST has warned that terrorists are “sneaking” into villages after a suspected suicide attack in north-east Nigeria resulted in multiple deaths. Father Joseph Fidelis, from Maiduguri Diocese, told Catholic...
“The Church is really a rock in Lebanon” as airstrikes intensify
Churches have opened their doors to receive IDPs, but efforts are overstretched operating schools, hospitals, care homes and orphanages. AS another 25 people were killed by airstrikes in Beirut on...
Another war in the Holy Land. “We have never faced anything like this,” say Christians
With yet another blow to regional stability, many Christians in the Holy Land believe it is time to leave. Yet the mission of the Church remains, bringing hope and dignity...
Taybeh: Do Not Let Palestinian Christians Become a Memory of the Past
The last entirely Christian village in the West Bank, Taybeh, east of Ramallah, has been enduring a wave of attacks and intimidation by Israeli settlers. Hostile acts include setting fire...
Pakistan: Demand for justice after Christian man found hanged
The Christian community has refused the official account that Mr Marqas Masih committed suicide, and claim instead that he was murdered. Two men have been arrested. Church leaders are demanding...
“We will stay, despite the war”, says priest in southern Lebanon
Since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, at the end of February 2026, the southern border of Lebanon has again become a war zone. In this context...
ACN calls for prayers for Fr. Pierre El Raï, who was killed in southern Lebanon
The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls for prayers for Fr. Pierre El Raï, a Maronite priest from the Maronite Diocese of Tyre and a project...
Drone strike in Erbil raises fears among Iraq’s Christians
The return of war to the Middle East has reopened old wounds and many Christians are again contemplating leaving the region. A drone strike last Wednesday (4 March) damaged Church-owned...
ACN’s global petition for religious freedom surpasses 20,000 signatures
Billions of people live in countries where religious freedom is not respected, according to the latest edition of the Religious Freedom in the World Report. Aid to the Church in...
“Missiles are flying over our heads” – Tens of thousands displaced as violence escalates in Lebanon
ACN has remained in contact with project partners in the areas affected by airstrikes, assessing the need for emergency assistance. Nearly 30,000 people have been displaced following a wave of...
The Christian presence must not die out
As tensions rise once again across the Middle East, the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) warns that a further escalation of violence could have devastating...
Algeria: The “Son of St Augustine” visits Annaba
The Vatican has officially confirmed that in the coming April, Pope Leo will visit Algeria, making this the first ever visit from a current pope. Leo XIV, who is an...
Mauritania: The challenges of ministering to a community of migrants
The only diocese in Mauritania has just celebrated its sixtieth anniversary. Bishop Victor Ndione, who has led the Diocese of Nouakchott for two years, tells Catholic charity Aid to the...
Ukraine: “You did not only give us food, but a taste of God”
In eastern Ukraine people have grown numb to the danger of air raids but faith is growing. A bishop tells ACN that “without your help we would be like refugees.”...
Catholics returning ‘in their thousands, not hundreds’ say bishops
Thousands of Catholics in north-east Nigeria have returned to church in defiance of their fears following more than 15 years of violent insurgencies. Bishop John Bakeni and Bishop Oliver Doeme,...
Four years of ACN support in war-torn Ukraine
The generosity of countless benefactors has helped to keep the Church in Ukraine alive and ready to continue to help those suffering most from the full scale invasion of 2022....
Ferdinand Habsburg appointed Secretary General of ACN International
Ferdinand Habsburg joins ACN following a successful and international career in the media and education sector. The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need – International (ACN) has announced...
Church calls for tighter security after 10 slaughtered
According to leading Church figures, over 100 people have been killed and 90,000 displaced in the Taraba State region since September 2025. Following a fresh massacre, the Church in Nigeria’s...
Bishops of Venezuela ask country to come together for national reconciliation
The bishops’ have asked for the release of political prisoners, for oil revenues to be applied to help the lower classes, and for the country’s sovereignty to be respected. The...
Cardinal to ACN: “Whoever does not give people God is giving them too little”
During his first visit to the international headquarters since being made president of ACN, Cardinal Koch highlighted the importance of the charity’s defence of religious freedom and its ecumenical dimension....
Catholic Church steps up pressure on Nigerian government over rising violence
Over the past days several Catholic organisations and dioceses have issued calls for the government to deploy more military and police personnel to stem the bloodshed and criminality that holds...
“It is absolutely essential that the war stops,” says Gaza’s parish priest
Although the media attention has died down since the ceasefire, the Gaza Strip continues to sink into an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis. Speaking to Aid to the Church in...
Pope Leo XIV echoes Cuban bishops’ warning that fuel blockade could cause “chaos and social violence”
“Cuba needs reforms, and these are increasingly urgent, but what it does not need is more anguish and pain. No more loss of life or mourning within Cuban families,” say...
Significant drop in arrests of priests in 2025 but deaths increase
The number of kidnappings also dropped slightly compared to 2024 but remains a major problem in parts of Africa. Fewer priests were arrested or kidnapped in 2025 compared to 2024,...
As life returns to normal in Aleppo, trauma lingers and fear remains
ACN is committed to helping rebuild homes and lives of the Christian community in Syria. Violence in Aleppo, Syria’s second most important city, has subsided following the withdrawal of forces...
Joy as Christian nurses are acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan
The legal outcome shows a “positive and rare” development, since local courts are often reluctant to acquit those accused of blasphemy, due to social pressure. Two Christian nurses in Pakistan...
Aid to the Church in Need once again launches 24 Hours of Prayer for Peace in Myanmar initiative
The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is repeating the 24 Hours of Prayer for Peace in Myanmar initiative on 1 February. On this date, which...
ACN reaffirms spiritual solidarity with Venezuela
Amid a context of deep social and political uncertainty in Venezuela, marked by recent events that have captured international attention, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reaffirms its commitment...
Christians call for peace and prayers as violence returns to Aleppo
Civilians are once again the main victims as the Kurdish-led SDF and forces loyal to the government in Damascus try to take control of the country’s second most important city....
New Year begins with bloodshed: 50 killed in fresh attacks in Nigeria
The New Year has not begun peacefully in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Kontagora. Just as the final days of 2025 were marked by violence and fear, early January 2026 has...
Nigeria: A decade of terror for Catholic priests
New data highlights scale of priest kidnappings amid Nigeria’s security crisis Between 2015 and 2025, at least 212 Catholic priests were kidnapped in Nigeria, in a wave of violence that...
Gaza prepares for a Christmas without peace, but not without hope
As Christmas approaches, the priest of the only Catholic parish in Gaza, Fr Gabriel Romanelli, tells Aid to the Church in Need that his community is attempting to keep the...
ACN, like St Joseph, called to let the light of God shine in the world
In a Christmas homily to the staff of Aid to the Church in Need, Cardinal Kurt Koch invited the charity to follow the example of St Joseph, and “to live...
Ukraine: With death always near, Catholics hope for God to be present this Christmas
Catholics in a Ukrainian town live under constant threat of missiles and even have to pay to pray in a Church that was stolen from them by the Soviets at...
Burkina Faso: In the north, faith resists amid heavy international silence
The Church in northern Burkina Faso deplores the lack of media attention given to the terrorist crisis it is suffering, with displaced people facing enormous needs and Christian communities showing...
Catechists keep the faith alive among victims of terrorism in Mozambique
Some parishes in northern Mozambique can encompass hundreds of communities, and priests and religious are not capable of reaching them all. Catechists are often on the front lines of the...
Nigeria: 99 children freed reunite with their parents while 154 remain in captivity
Securing the release of the remaining students and staff remains the top priority of the local church, Bishop Bulus Yohanna told ACN. A hundred of the 265 students and staff...
Cardinal Parolin tells “heroic” Christians of Mozambique: “You are not alone!”
In a risky trip to Cabo Delgado, home to a ruthless jihadist violence, the Vatican’s secretary of State thanked the work of Aid to the Church in Need. Cardinal Pietro...
Nigeria. Catechist forgives man who tried to kill him over his ministry
Despite several attacks and one attempted murder, Yahaya and his family decided to remain in Sokoto to carry out his ministry of service to the Church. Around 3 a.m. on...
Nigerian bishop on school kidnappings: “Our hearts are broken, but our faith remains firm”
“Evil will never win,” said Nigeria’s National Security Advisor, during a visit to the bishop of Kontagora, where over 300 children were kidnapped in late November. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna...
ACN raises religious freedom concerns at European Parliament’s “Human Dignity” event
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN - International) recently took part in the “Human Dignity” event, part of the yearly “European Prayer Breakfast”, which was held on Wednesday, 3...
Amid a fragile respite, an urgent plea from Gaza before Christmas
The Catholic parish in Gaza prepares for Advent during an unstable ceasefire. From the heart of the devastated city, Fr Gabriel Romanelli of the Holy Family parish describes a disastrous...
Pope is travelling to Lebanon to “heal wounds” and “work for peace”
Lebanon is still recovering from years of conflict and economic turmoil. The Pope’s visit is a sign that the local Church is not forgotten, and highlights the country’s unique role...
Cardinal Kurt Koch appointed president of ACN – “We are grateful to Pope Leo,” says executive president Regina Lynch
Cardinal Koch has been a friend of ACN for many years and brings with him a wealth of experience in the field of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. The pontifical foundation...
Nigerian Bishops: “Lasting peace cannot be achieved through silence or delay”
Catholic Bishops of Nigeria warn of escalating violence and call for urgent action to protect life and religious freedom Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) echoes the urgent appeal...
ACN helps keep the doors of Christian education in the Holy Land open
With unemployment disproportionately affecting the Christian community, and as a gesture during the Jubilee of Hope, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem took the decision to cancel student debt in all...
New mass abduction of schoolgirls in northern Nigeria
The attack represents “a major blow to the education of young girls, which is already quite rare in these parts of the country”, say local sources. The abduction of around...
Four Christians killed, villages razed in fresh attack in Mozambique
An estimated 128,000 people have had to flee the affected region, according to UN estimates. At least four Christians were murdered by jihadists in northern Mozambique over the past days,...
Nigeria at the crossroads
The situation in Nigeria - Africa’s most populous country - is very complex, as factors of violence often overlap. For example, the issue of conflicts over land is as old...
Nigeria: Priest abducted in the Archdiocese of Kaduna
The west African nation has been classified as suffering from severe, systematic and ongoing religious freedom violations. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has received an official communication from...
Red Week 2025: A global cry for religious freedom
Over half a million people are expected to take part in ACN’s Red Week 2025 as more than 600 churches turn red for faith and freedom. From Vienna to Bogotá,...
Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul: “Our community awaits the arrival of Pope Leo XIV with profound joy and anticipation”
This year, the Church commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, an important anniversary for the entire Christian world. This November, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit...
ACN helping displaced to overcome trauma in Mozambique
For those who have lost loved ones, or even just their material goods, due to terrorist attacks in Mozambique, the work of religious sisters in the Diocese of Pemba, supported...
Ukraine: “We have so much pain in us, but we know we have to live”
In Kharkiv, a diocese that sits in the war zone in Ukraine, the Church has dedicated itself to trauma healing among soldiers and civilians. ACN’s help is like the hand...
ACN expresses solidarity with Cuba after the devastating passage of the hurricane
The organisation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep sorrow and closeness to the Cuban people following the passage of the powerful hurricane that has struck the...
Burkina Faso: Two dioceses hit by new wave of attacks
The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep concern and sadness over the renewed upsurge in terrorism in the Dioceses of Nouna and Fada...
Archbishop Mourad: “The Church in Syria is dying. There is no freedom, religious or otherwise”
The end of Christianity in Syria would be a great loss, because “the Church stands as a reminder to every one of the ethics of justice and human dignity as...
“Just like St. Peter, I was freed by a ‘miraculous earthquake’,” says Pakistani Christian
Shagufta Kausar was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy and spent over eight years in prison. She recently shared her story at the launching of the Religious Freedom in the...
“Prayer was my strength in prison,” says Sudanese Christian at the international launch of the RFR 2025 Report
Mariam Ibrahim was arrested for apostasy and adultery because Sharia law mandated that she was a Muslim, like her father, even though she had been raised as a practicing Christian....
Religious Freedom: A global victim of authoritarianism, extremism and war
“Religious freedom is a human right, not a privilege” The international pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched its biennial report “Religious Freedom in the World 2025”...
Gaza: First Sunday of Peace after the Ceasefire
The parish priest of Gaza called on his flock to “forgive all those who have failed and to ask forgiveness” for their own shortcomings, as preparation for what he hopes...
The Holy Father calls for renewed commitment to defend religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians worldwide
Pope Leo XIV receives Aid to the Church in Need in private audience This morning, 10 October 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received pontifical foundation Aid to the Church...
Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign
This was the 20th edition of ACN’s One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign. Pope Leo XIV kept up the tradition of his predecessor, Pope Francis, by promoting the One...
Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war
While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli envoys and Hamas, the hope for a beginning of peace is cautiously laying roots in the diocese of the Holy...
Fr Hugo Alaniz recounts a night of explosions and fear in Aleppo: “People are very afraid, we don’t know what is going to happen”
In the midst of a new wave of fighting, the Argentine priest describes hours of anguish in Aleppo. His parish has once again become a refuge for dozens of families....
Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025
Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21 at the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome for the worldwide presentation of the latest edition of the Report on...
Papal envoy carries solidarity to the Christians of war-torn Sudan
Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, has just completed a diplomatic mission through the region’s most badly affected by the current civil war in Sudan. Over several...
In the east of Burkina Faso, still many problems as term starts
While the security situation in Burkina Faso has improved slightly, some regions are still suffering from terrorism and misery. On the eve of the new school term, young people are...
Catholic University in Erbil: Ten years of bringing hope and fostering coexistence in Iraq
Yohana Al-Zebbaree was a pre-teen boy living in the northern Iraqi city of Duhok in 2014, when jihadists from the Islamic State (ISIS) overran Mosul and began expanding their control...
From Angola to Vietnam, enthusiasm with “One million children praying the Rosary” campaign
ACN’s yearly campaign, added to the Holy Father’s appeal to pray the Rosary every day of the month for Peace, reinforce the importance of October as the month of this...
Mexico: A bullet-dodging bishop
In Guerrero, one of the most violent states in Mexico, faith is the last refuge for a people who live under the weight of organised crime. Bishop José de Jesus...
Church clings to life amid chaos in Gaza
Aid to the Church in Need echoes Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace. The Gaza Strip is currently going through one of the darkest periods of its recent history. On...
ACN denounces new massacre in Ntoyo as situation in eastern Congo deteriorates
International Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep concern and solidarity with the families of the victims of a brutal attack carried out on September...
“No one can silence the voice or erase the love of the martyrs,” says Pope
ACN International executive president Regina Lynch says the organisation is proud to support those who are persecuted or even make the ultimate sacrifice for their faith. Pope Leo XIV celebrated...
Vatican gathers the stories of 1,624 Christians murdered for their faith since the year 2000
An ecumenical tribute will be held in Rome, but names will not be published for now A Vatican commission comprising historians, theologians and other experts has documented the stories of...
Children prepare to send “tidal wave of prayer” around the world
Responds to the ever-pressing yearning for peace and unity in a world wounded by division, conflict, and suffering
Iraq: Ecumenical festival points to future for persecuted Church
Today, the very same communities will raise the Cross high in public squares, in churches, and in joyful processions
Bishop denounces illegal occupation of Church land in Mozambique
"Officials who were sent there were chased away, there must be a very powerful invisible and untouchable hand encouraging the criminals"
Priest’s murder shocks Sierra Leone
Father Amadu was a man of peace, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the spiritual and social upliftment of his community
Faith among the glaciers: a Capuchin bishop on the Church’s northern front
“Our common language is faith. We believe the same thing. The Church is our mother,” Bishop David Tencer explains
Ethiopian Spiritans evangelising local cultures
“The people are living their own culture. We want to have a dialogue with their culture,” says Fr Kilimpe, about the Hamar
The young girl who fled from Iraq and met the Pope
Sofia ended up finding solace in God and the strength to forgive those who drove her from her country and nearly killed her several times
Christian clergy in Gaza defy evacuation orders to remain with their flocks
Like other residents of Gaza City, the refugees living in the facilities will have to decide according to their conscience what they will do
Mozambique: Pope “close” to suffering people of Cabo Delgado
The Pope’s words were an important solace for the people affected by the Islamist insurgency, said Bishop António Juliasse
Thousands of children prepare to return to school, thanks to ACN
Many families would not have been able to pay tuition fees, nor schools pay teachers their salaries, if it had not been for ACN support
Student’s dedication bears fruit for Ukrainian children
This year, a group of Portuguese students decided to do their part to help those in Ukraine benefit from this experience
Pakistan: Two years on, justice still not done
What’s changed over the last two years since the attacks is that people have now become ready to fight for their rights
Editor in Chief of the ACN Religious Freedom Report 2025: “If religious freedom is denied for one faith, soon it will be denied to others”
22 August marks the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Terrified women and children block road after three more murders
It is terrible, people are traumatised, it’s a horrific thing to happen. People are protesting and refusing to leave the street
Women lead the way in praying for peace in the world
Religious sisters are often on the frontlines of wars, helping the innocent in whatever way they can, without regard for their own safety
Greek-Catholic Bishop of Donetsk: “Before the war we had over 80 parishes, but more than half closed, are under occupation or were destroyed”
“Through our hands, God can touch and embrace these people who suffer, and give them a smile, and a little joy”
Guatemala: A faith built in community
We face many struggles, including young people without clear life goals and high suicide rates. We want to give them hope and meaning
Almost 50,000 displaced in latest round of jihadist attacks in Mozambique
The conflict in Cabo Delgado has caused over 6,000 deaths since October 2017 and has displaced over one million people
“They beat me, but I thank God I survived,” says priest kidnapped by jihadists
Armed men came out of the roadside bushes shooting at us. In the confusion of the moment, I abandoned my vehicle and ran
Finland: Extraordinary ecumenism
Catholics don’t hide and are not afraid to let the people around them know that they are Catholics, or to speak to them about Christ
The Shroud of Turin in Kazakhstan: A historic event of cultural and spiritual significance
This exhibition has become a symbol of dialogue and mutual respect between cultures and religions, values that Kazakhstan firmly upholds
DR Congo: Church condemns massacre of young Christians in Komanda and calls for justice
"Human life is sacred and should not be destroyed like this," says a statement issued by the Eucharistic Crusades
Five years after devastating port blast, Lebanon struggles between trauma and hope
Five years have passed since one of the most devastating moments in Lebanon’s recent history—the Beirut port
Extremist settlers torch cars and spray graffiti in last all-Christian town in West Bank
Fire reached the very walls of the ancient church, a living testament to the Christian faith’s enduring presence in the Holy Land
Holy Land youth “breathe freedom” at ACN-funded Summer Camps
At home they cannot go and visit their friends, because of the roadblocks and checkpoints, so for them it is important to be there
ACN echoes urgent plea by Father Gabriel and Cardinal Pizzaballa following attack on Gaza Catholic Church
I know that ACN has plenty of initiatives to help the Christians in the Middle East, especially in these parts of the Holy Land
Dozens killed in another church massacre in DR Congo
The rebels entered the church and murdered a large number of children, both inside the church building and in the compound
Humanitarian crisis in Suwayda: church turned into emergency shelters
Most of the refugee families have lost their homes due to fires and looting which have devastated the region
Nigeria: Kidnapped priest, Father Alphonsus Afina, freed along with ten female hostages
This release should be regarded as a true miracle, through the prayers and the intercession of Our Lady
ACN distributing 10,000 free copies of “YOUCAT Confession” to participants of the Youth Jubilee in Rome
The opportunity to discover and experience the beauty of the Catholic Faith, especially through the sacrament of reconciliation
Parish priest after attack on Gaza’s only Catholic church: “Everything happened in seconds”
We hadn't even finished the greeting when a big explosion was heard. Screams, dust, debris... everything happened very quickly
Attack on Catholic parish in Gaza: Three deaths confirmed
We ask you to continue helping us—to pray a lot, and to encourage others to pray. To seek peace and justice by all means
New Wave of Violence Against Christian Communities in Syria: Greek-Catholic Church Attacked and Bomb Plot Foiled at Maronite Church
“They had very little to begin with—they were already among the poorest in the region—and now they have nothing left.”
Nigerian Minor Seminary attacked: Security guard killed, three students kidnapped
“They came in large numbers, and it was impossible for the guards to stop them,” explained Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi in a call with ACN
Church leaders urge Israeli authorities to stop attacks on West Bank Christians
Over the past weeks, groups of radical Jewish settlers have been harassing and attacking the community and its landmarks
Trapped between terrorism and hunger in northern Mozambique
You can see the sadness in their faces. They are away from their natural surroundings, they have lost everything, including family members
ACN provides summer camps and activities for almost 100,000 children in 15 countries
Almost 100,000 children are benefitting from summer camps and other activities funded by pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need
Spokesman for the Archdiocese of Sarajevo: “Srebrenica is a message of how much pain human beings can inflict upon each other when they are full of hate”
Unfortunately, there is still not a general idea that all crimes, regardless of who committed them, should be condemned
Lebanon: The Church remains hopeful and vibrant despite the ongoing crisis
Christian families and individuals are offering a powerful witness by looking after those displaced by the war
Religious robbed, held at gunpoint and threatened with decapitation in Mozambique
This was the first time in 17 years that our mission has been attacked, nobody had ever entered our house with ill-intent
Father Fadi Azar, Syrian priest, speaks about the situation of Christians: “We have the right to go to church and pray in peace”
Help us escape. We can’t live here. We are afraid for our lives; we are afraid for the future of our children
A Friend, a shepherd, a witness: ACN remembers Iraqi bishop
Bishop Thabet Habib Yousif Mansor Almako played a key role during the most difficult years for Christians in Iraq
Brazil: Aparecida’s bag full of miracles
“You can give away everything that Jesus places in your heart, because He will provide for all your needs”
Getting to know the persecuted Church helped Elisabete embrace her own cross
If we had not built our spiritual home on the Rock that is Jesus Christ, it would certainly have collapsed
Aid to the Church in Need expresses deep sorrow after deadly attack on St. Elias Church in Damascus
ACN is profoundly saddened and alarmed by the deadly attack that took place on Sunday evening during a service at the Greek Orthodox Church.
ACN benefactors dedicate their work and celebrations to help suffering Christians
Knowing that this initiative of mine is going to help to alleviate the suffering of so many families is all the reward
Nigeria: We will rise again
I am very much here in Yelewata This is where I am staying. I will continue to serve the people here for the glory of God
“Mozambique needs international aid to solve crisis in Cabo Delgado,” says the Bishop of Tete
The displaced live in a very precarious and difficult situation. They often lack the essentials to live, especially food and other goods
139.3 million euro to help Christians in need in 137 countries during 2024
Thanks to your generosity ACN has been able to bring hope to hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters in faith
Uganda: “People had nothing, but all they asked was that we help them pray”
When we arrived, the refugees had no clothes, they were dirty, they had no hygiene products, no food. We didn’t have a house
Nigeria: Up to 200 dead in worst killing spree
Friday night’s attack comes amid a spike in attacks on Benue State centring on the Makurdi region which is more than 95 percent Catholic
Priest Dies During Rebel Militia Attack in Sudan
Father Luka Jomo died this Friday in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in Sudan
Cardinal Bechara Raï: “States have to change their perspective. It’s not about focusing on the number of Christians in the Middle East, but on the value that the presence of the Christians adds.”
We want the Christians and the Muslims to remain, because this joint way of life leads to a moderate Islam
Pakistan: Christian girls continue to suffer from abuse and discrimination
We demand justice for the victim family and call upon the state to provide safety and security to the family, who are poor and minority
Bishop calls for prayers as priest is kidnapped by jihadists in Nigeria
Fr Alphonsus was abducted along with others, and one of the staff of the JDPC was able to escape to safety
“The people of Syria live without dignity or trust”, says Archbishop
The people of Syria live without dignity, and without trust in each other, in the government and in the international community
Sisters helping impoverished families in Lebanon recover from the latest devastating war
Religious Sisters are doing everything they can to provide material aid and pastoral support to traumatised Christian communities
Fellow missionary recalls Pope Leo’s dedication to the poor and suffering in Peru
There were threats made to us and our parish, and the bishop’s residence up north, there were bombs put there
ACN helps rebuild Church burned down during street protests in Chile
The recovery of the symbolic and historic temple was only possible because of the support of pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need
ACN honoured by President of Poland for humanitarian aid
President Duda thanked ACN Poland for its “unwavering dedication” to humanitarian aid, which he described as “an extremely difficult service”
Dozens Killed in New Wave of Attacks on Communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt
They are creating humanitarian crises, as those who survive are moved into camps where they become beggars to seek out a living
Situation in Gaza still “very bad”, says priest. “Nobody is talking about rebuilding”
The entire Christian population took refuge in the Holy Family Catholic parish and in the neighbouring Orthodox compound
Aid to the Church in Need launches a special edition of the Child’s Bible during the Jubilee of Families in Rome
The Child’s Bible has been translated into more than 190 languages, with over 51 million copies printed worldwide
Cuban religious help care for families and the sick amid crisis
Two Sanchina sisters, Sr Isabel and Sr Leonida, carry out this work in the third most important city of Cuba, Camagüey
“A bridge of love with Peru: ACN’s collaboration with Pope Leo XIV”
We want to reach more faithful, so that they can learn about the needs of the suffering and persecuted Church
Meeting with Pope Leo XIV: A new hope for the Eastern Churches
The pontifical foundation spoke to six Eastern rite project partners from different regions, to get their impressions, and they all agree
“I was the Pope’s altar server in Chiclayo. Now I promote ACN in Peru”
In my work I spread the message of the suffering Church, I touch hearts and connect with more people for this great cause
Atmosphere of joy and devotion marks historic ACN pilgrimage to Rome
To assist Christ in His work of salvation, to help Him be known and loved, to help Christ save humanity by supporting the life of the Church
Mauritania: “Accueil-Écoute”, a hand extended to the most vulnerable
It’s a harbour where everyone is welcomed in the name of Christ through caring and loving gestures in a context of systematic misery
Executive president of ACN recalls fruitful collaboration with new Pope
We are committed to continue our work in the service of Christian communities all over the world in unity with Pope Leo XIV
ACN welcomes Pope Leo XIV and looks forward to continuing collaboration
ACN looks forward to continuing its service to the universal Church as well as the collaboration with Leo XIV
“Christians are suffering greatly in Mozambique,” says Passionist priest
Over the past days there have been attacks in the region of Ancuabe, with the terrorists moving from the centre to the north
Indonesia: “Pope Francis’s visit showed us the meaning of simplicity”
At that time, we were 10,000 Catholics, but after 60 years we have 250,000 Catholics out of a population of 800,000
Over 1,000 ACN benefactors to take part in “pilgrimage of hope” to Rome for the 2025 Jubilee
The ACN pilgrimage will be in Rome for the election of the new Pope, a moment which is being met with great excitement by all
Pakistan cardinal appeals for prayers ahead of conclave
Remember, it is not only the cardinals but the cardinals with the Church and we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Turkey: Mass stipends from ACN, a vital lifeline
With priests serving the small number of scattered faithful, Mass stipends provided by ACN are essential support
“I was sick and alone, but the sisters took me in”: a priest’s testimony of how religious in Venezuela cared for him until the end
“A few months ago, when I was struck down by cancer, I did not know where to go. I was alone, weak, and had nobody to care for me."
Madagascan Cardinal: “We cannot serve Jesus Christ in church, and the devil outside”
“Faced with this situation, many young people dream about leaving the country because of the lack of prospects"
ACN helping to build up the faith of Christians in the Holy Land
“Our people are thirsty to know and live their faith. This can be a turning point in the history of Christian education in the Holy Land.”
“We mourn a messenger of dialogue and mercy”
Pope Francis was the pontiff for the people on the edges of society and a tireless fighter for religious freedom and oppressed Christians
Ukraine three years on: “Why, why, why?”
The scars of the war in Ukraine are not only visible on bodies; they are also reflected in the faces of those who are experiencing it
New book details the Martyrs of the 21st Century
At the invitation of ACN, Robert Royal has written a book about persecuted Christians over the past 25 years
Haiti: “The people are suffering; everyone is at risk”
"If they are lucky, they won’t kill them, but they have to flee and remain hidden for a long time", the sister told ACN
The Central African Republic: an example of reconciliation between Christians and Muslims
Today the relationships between Christians and Muslims are fairly good. Everyone is very careful not to set a fire.
Burkina Faso: Mathieu’s Gethsemane
“My hands were so tightly bound that I couldn’t feel my wrists for a month, because the circulation had been cut.”
“More war won’t solve the situation, it only makes it worse”, says Gaza priest
We need humanitarian aid for over two million people who live here and who, for the most part, have lost everything
Rwanda: “If we lose the young people, we lose society”
My diocese is very rural, and rural Christians must travel long distances to get to church. That presents a problem for older people
Despite hardships, Christianity grows “astronomically” in northern Nigeria
“My people are a happy people. Despite the difficulties, despite their poverty, despite the persecution, my people remain a happy people”
Haiti’s Way of the Cross continues: Two religious sisters murdered
The murder of these two religious sisters is a sad confirmation of the terrible suffering that the congregations are going through
“Thank you for keeping the Christian presence alive in Jerusalem”
Life in Jerusalem’s Old City is difficult for the Christians who continue to live there, many of whom are poor
125 years of evangelisation in Burkina Faso: A Church full of life, despite terrorism and violence
Archbishop Dabiré of Bobo-Dioulasso explained the concept to the ACN delegation invited to take part in the event
Sierra Leone: ACN helps Church face trauma after “senseless war”
“The people preferred to have elections before peace, so that following elections a new government could negotiate with the rebels.”
Young Christian brutally attacked in Pakistan
The incident, which took place on March 22, highlights the persistent religious intolerance present in much of Pakistani society.
Nigeria: Two more priests kidnapped over the weekend
Two more Catholic priests were kidnapped over the weekend in Nigeria, aggravating what has been a terrible first quarter of the year
“Bailasan”, a balm for mental health issues in the Holy Land
As families, we are afraid to be affiliated with mental ill-health. We all know each other, and so we are reluctant to seek help
Beyond the breathtaking beaches: the Dominican Church on the Haitian border
Many parishes there are not self-sustainable, but the faith and the solidarity of the faithful in the local Church are inspiring
ACN help is “like the hand of God, saving lives” in Mozambique
A missionary sister who works in the Diocese of Pemba, which is racked by terrorism and deeply affected by a recent cyclone
Latin America and Caribbean Meeting for Synodal Cooperation 2025: The Church as an agent of transformation
ACN International headquarters, hosted the Latin America and Caribbean Meeting for Synodal Cooperation 2025, between 10 and 14 March.
Nigerian Church in pain as 21-year-old seminarian murdered by kidnappers
“Life has been hell for our people in recent times. People are not safe on the roads, in their farms or even in their homes”
Nigeria: Let our children go back to school
The closure of schools for an extended period undermines this right and jeopardises the education and future of millions of Nigerian children
“We don’t want any more bloodshed in Syria,” says Homs Archbishop
This is very painful. I ask for justice, because murdering women and children is not a good thing for Syria
Young Pakistani Akash Bashir remains an inspiration to many, ten years after his death
The Christians have been strengthened, other young people have taken over, and there have been many baptism
Churches cry foul as tax war flares up again in Israel
The most pressing case at the moment is related to the Armenian Church, but there are many cases involving Catholic institutions
Bishop expresses “sorrow and righteous indignation” over murder of Nigerian priest
The Diocese of Kafanchan has seen at least one pastoral agent murdered each year since 2021
Aid to the Church in Need calls for intense prayer for Syria amid violence and uncertainty
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep concern over the escalating violence in Syria, particularly in the coastal region
Missionaries in Cuba: “In our workshops women discover many gifts they did not even know they had”
On International Women’s Day, we highlight the work of a group of religious sisters from the Company of Mary in Cuba
Lebanon: How consecrated women religious are improving the lives of vulnerable girls through an ACN project
These young girls are vulnerable due to their exposure to domestic violence, abuse, poverty, trafficking, and other forms of mistreatment.
Walking for peace in South Sudan
Walking across four parishes is something one could do in a couple of hours, but the reality in South Sudan is strikingly different.
Priest kidnapped and murdered in Nigeria
In 2024, 5 priests & 2 sisters were kidnapped in Nigeria. Fr Sylvester Okechukwu was murdered. ACN urges prayers & calls for more security.
West Bank: “Honestly? The ceasefire has made the situation even worse”
As Christians from Jesus’ homeland, we have a duty to stay here, where He lived, where He died, and where He rose again.
Ukraine: Bringing hope and God’s presence to the front
“Without daily Mass, daily rosary and personal prayer, I cannot imagine how I would survive here!” said Father Witalij Novak.
Albania: “I was secretly baptised and my vocation is due to a priest who spent 28 years in prison”
It was definitely a very tough life under communism, we were brought up with no faith, no Christ, and no religion.
DR Congo: Local ACN sources confirm massacre with 70 bodies found in Lubero church
On 15 February, 70 bodies were discovered inside a Protestant church. Many of them had been bound and some beheaded.
Over three years ACN supports the Catholic Church in Ukraine with over €25 million
More than €25.2 million were made available to help the Catholic Church of both rites across the whole of Ukraine.
Christ of the Savannah: A symbol of unity in the heart of the Venezuelan plains
A symbol of faith, identity and resilience for the Diocese of Guasdualito, which was created only nine years ago, supported by ACN.
Catholic Priest killed in Myanmar conflict
The priest's death reflects the challenge and immense risk that the Church faces in a context of widespread violence
Central African Republic: “Little by little, hope is being reborn,” bishops say
This hope allows children to go to school, parents to go to the fields, traders to carry on their work, and the sick to receive medicine.
Dismayed by fresh attacks in Burkina Faso, ACN calls for prayer
ACN has learned that tragically Fr Jean-Pierre’s father and several other family members were among the victims of the attacks.
ACN supporting Catholic radio stations in war zones
On World Radio Day, 13 February, ACN highlights its support for Catholic radio, an essential tool for information and global evangelization.
Religious sisters are “the foot soldiers of Christ” in Zimbabwe, says bishop
They are the ones on the ground, who serve the poor, the widow and the orphan, but they have very little recognition
Burkina Faso: Two catechists brutally killed in a road attack
The Ouakara parish victims were attacked near Bondokuy by two gunmen while returning from catechist training.
DR Congo: Missionary describes chaos in Goma, with “many dead and refugee camps under attack”
The situation is extremely serious, and there is even a risk that the M23 forces might advance to South Kivu.
Martyrs of our days: witnesses of hope
The locations and those responsible for that persecution may have changed, but the suffering itself, unfortunately, continues.
Dominican Republic: Over six hours on the road to spread the Faith
Many of the communities are isolated because the dirt roads become impossible to navigate during the rainy season.
The rebirth of the Catholic Church in Estonia
With great joy! The erection of this diocese was very well received and got great coverage by the local press.
Kenya: “When we rescue these girls, there is a total transformation”
For many years, ACN has provided support, especially through scholarships, to members of the Assumption Sisters of Eldoret.
South Sudan: Teaching children to read and pray in their own language
Fr Stefaan : "It is also helping me to improve my own Pazande. There is no better way to learn something than by teaching it to children."
DR Congo: Bishop calls for restraint and respect for human life as fighting rages in Goma
As fighting reportedly continues within the city, the Church fears for the well-being of the innocent civilian population.
Christians eager to help rebuild a Syria based on equal rights
The transitional government vows to respect religious freedom, but incidents have made Christians approach these promises cautiously.
How the commitment of a priest in Ecuador changed parish life
For 54 years in Guaranda, Ecuador, Fr. Antonio Polo transformed the region through pastoral work and ventures like Salinerito Cheese.
Lebanon: between hope and uncertainty
Many houses were also destroyed – including in the Bekaa Valley, where there will continue to be an urgent need for ACN’s relief projects.
Massacres mar Christmas celebrations in Nigeria
Dozens of Christians were killed in attacks in and around Christmas time in Nigeria, especially in Benue State.
Mali: Catholic education system in danger
The Church in Mali needs support in forming young people and building a peaceful world. Please pray for this important intention!
Keeping Christ present in war-torn Sudan
Due to ethnic, social, and economic factors, Sudan has faced war for decades, with the current civil war being the worst in recent history.
Aid to the Church in Need convenes Global Day of Prayer for Peace in Myanmar
The pontifical foundation ACN calls for a 24-hour Global Day of Prayer for peace in Myanmar on 1 February.
Burkina Faso: “When a catechist’s family has food, then the whole community has something to eat”
Given the precarious living conditions which terrorism has caused in Burkina Faso, this help is a true source of comfort and hope.
Being a priest today: One of the most dangerous missions in the world
ACN registered 121 cases impacting priests and religious, including 13 murders, 37 kidnappings and 71 held under arrest.
A hard Christmas in North Kivu: “Many people are fleeing their villages,” says missionary in DR Congo
The neighbouring country of Angola has been trying to broker a peace deal, but unfortunately this has not been successful.
Nigeria: Congregation requests prayers for two abducted sisters in Anambra
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is evenly split between Christians and Muslims and has seen increasing violence against Christians.
Cameroon: It’s not weapons which will defeat Boko Haram, but education and hope
If young people have prospects, it will be difficult for Boko Haram to recruit new members and brainwash them.
Nigeria: Memorial Mass for massacred Christians
Bishop Michael Gobal Gokum of Pankshin celebrated the Epiphany Mass at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bokkos on Christmas Eve 2023
Murder of Suleman Masih Shakes Christian Community in Gujranwala, Pakistan
Suleman Masih, a 24-year-old Christian, was killed in Pakistan, highlighting the violence and discrimination faced by religious minorities.
“In Haiti, it’s about surviving,” says Bishop Quesnel of Fort-Liberté
What they find when they return home is an emotional and psychological shock so great that it could destroy most people.
Vocations grow in Burkina Faso despite terrorism
While for most people Christmas is a time of family reunions, this is not the case for many seminarians in Burkina Faso.
Pakistani priest’s Christmas message: “Never take the freedom to express your faith for granted”
Fr. Lazar Aslam, a Franciscan Capuchin priest in Pakistan, provides pastoral care and spiritual guidance amid challenges and adversity.
Mozambique after the passing of Cyclone Chido: “What will become of us now? We’ve lost everything”
There are dozens of fatalities, thousands of people lost everything, and now are asking how they will survive.
King Charles III attends Advent service in London in support of Iraqi Christians
The King met London-based Iraqi Christians, including those persecuted and displaced when Daesh seized the Nineveh Plains.
Ukraine Church leaders to ACN: “Thank you for helping us save lives”
The Nuncio emphasizes the need for both material aid and spiritual support, especially during Advent and Christmas.
Church trying to provide “something special” for Gaza children this Christmas
The children in the Holy Family compound have grown so used to his daily phone calls, that they think of him as family.
Liturgical celebrations and schools reopen in Syria – A new beginning amid hope and uncertainty
ACN has gathered firsthand testimonies, providing an on-the-ground look at the current situation in key regions
Bishop in Damascus: “We have been assured that everything will be fine, and we should not worry”
Syria's political turmoil continues to harm Christian communities. Learn how their lives have been affected.
In Burkina Faso, catechists are the heroes of the Church
You have to be deeply convinced to take on this service. These are people prepared to offer their lives right to the end for Christ.
Christians in the Holy Land approach Christmas with a ray of hope, says Patriarch
Sometimes I feel powerless seeing problems everywhere, but witnessing the wonderful work in our Church reminds me there is still hope.
ACN remains firmly committed to supporting Christians in Syria
In light of the recent developments in Syria, the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) wishes to
Emergency Campaign: Prayer and solidarity for the Christians of Aleppo and Syria
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is making an urgent appeal for prayer and support for the Christian community
A wave of red light united the world, a sign of hope for those who suffer in silence for their faith
ACN brings together thousands to pray for the persecuted Christians during #RedWeek. Worldwide solidarity and prayer vigils illuminate over 1,000
Mexico: “The hardest is telling a child their father was killed,” says Michoacán religious sister
With ACN’s support, they also train novices who grew up in difficult environments, preparing them to carry hope to vulnerable communities.
Syria: ACN urges prayers for Aleppo amid escalating violence and fear
In a voice message shared with ACN, Father Hugo Alaniz IVE, an Argentine missionary, described the dire situation currently unfolding around Aleppo
Ukraine: after 1000 days of war, “people are tired and without hope”, says priest
The effect of this state of mind is that after months of panic whenever sirens sounded, people have developed a more carefree attitude
Haiti on the brink: bishops issue a “cry of alarm” for peace
We urge city leaders to act decisively to restore security and protect citizens, fulfilling their duty to serve the common good.
ACN dedicates Christmas campaign to persecuted Christians in Burkina Faso
We want to help the local Church to provide emergency aid and trauma management programmes for the internally displaced
YOUCAT announces new appointments to support evangelisation and faith formation worldwide
The YOUCAT Foundation, based in Königstein, Germany, has announced the appointment of Rafael D’Aqui to the position of Executive Director
South Sudan: “I pray that all may be one”
These conflicts have certainly negatively impacted the Church’s development and ability to minister to the people in the country
Two more priests on the list of Albanian martyrs, Luigi Paliq and Gjon Gazulli, beatified
Two Albanian martyrs, Fr Luigi Paliq and Fr Gjon Gazulli, have been declared blessed by the Catholic Church, during a
Church asks authorities to “hear the cry of the poor” in Guinea-Bissau
Catholics in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau held a day of prayer and fasting for peace and unity in the troubled country.
Bombs, rising tension and exhaustion are taking their toll on the Lebanese people
With many of the refugees fleeing to Christian areas, local dioceses have been on the front line of providing assistance.
Nigerian bishop to ACN: “I cannot thank you enough”
Catholic charity ACN supports persecuted priests, sisters, Mass stipends, and Christian education through vital aid programs.
A Colombian priest’s fight against violence: “Our neighbourhood has two or three murders every week”
This worrying situation is also reflected in the number of suicides, which affects both adults and children.
Bangladesh: Radicalisation driving discrimination and attacks against Christians
Christians face job struggles, church projects are delayed, and Catholic schools’ future is at risk, says an anonymous Church source.
Brazil: A love that does not rust
The Amazon, known as the “lungs of the planet” due to its rich biodiversity, is also home of inspiring and encouraging stories.
Colombia: Bombing destroys bishops’ residence and offices in Apostolic Vicariate of Guapi
We regret the loss of life, the pain of the wounded, the grief of the families and the despair of a society that dreams of living in peace
#RedWednesday events in over 20 countries to raise awareness of Christian persecution
A significant highlight of this year's Red Wednesday is the release of the 2024 edition of "Persecuted & Forgotten?".
Burkina Faso: Priest calls for prayer after three new terrorist attacks
Pray for the victims and for the fearful survivors,” asked a priest from the Diocese of Fada N’Gourma in eastern Burkina Faso
Church struck in strike close to Tyre, Lebanon
They added that another missile hit a priest’s house and a three-story building housing parish offices, completely destroying them.
Priest kidnapped in Nigeria after saving two seminarians
The bandits made their way to the courtyard of the minor seminary and abducted two students, who they intended to take as hostages.
Investing in the children of Iraqi Kurdistan
ACN supported the building of a new floor for the Kindergarten in Enishke, allowing it to expand its services to
Mali: Jihadist group intensifies religious persecution and charges Christians “jizya” tax
Those who were unable, or unwilling, to pay were warned that the alternative would be the forced closure of their places of worship.
Lebanon: “They are safe because they are in God’s house”
In northern Beqaa, the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Help has been transformed into a refuge
Venezuelan bishops call for transparency and decry human rights violations
The bishops of Venezuela recently concluded their 45th Extraordinary Plenary Assembly, during which they discussed issues of crucial importance to
From Argentina to the Philippines: Over one million children united in prayer for peace
One of the highlights of this year’s campaign took place in the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fátima, where Cardinal
New ACN report: Persecution of Christians has worsened around the globe
Christians are suffering increased violence, discrimination and other human rights abuses around the world, according to a report released today.
Ukraine: Fighting on the spiritual front
For two years, Bishop Vitaly Krivitskiy of the Latin Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr has been living in a time of war.
Burkina Faso: Terrorists carry out brutal massacre over three days
On Sunday, 6 October 2024, a new terrorist attack took place in the town of Manni in the East Region of Burkina Faso.
Pope Francis thanks children for joining ACN’s “rosary for peace and unity campaign”, next Friday, 18 October
Let us entrust to the intercession of Our Lady tormented Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan and the other populations who suffer because of war and any form of violence and misery
ACN aims to raise 1 million Euro to help Church face crisis in Lebanon
Christians form a significant part of the population in this area, and are being directly affected, despite the fact that they have played no role in terrorist strikes against Israel.
Mozambican bishop recalls “seven years of death and suffering” in Cabo Delgado
The insurgency in Mozambique, which began on Oct 5, 2017, has caused over 5,000 deaths and displaced 1 million, overshadowing Peace Day.
Crisis in Lebanon: Christians open their doors to thousands fleeing bombardments
The Archdiocese of Baalbek-Deir El-Ahmar in the Beqaa Valley, eastern Lebanon, is suffering a major humanitarian and security crisis as
Brazil: Rescuing God’s children from the slavery of addiction
Fr José Luis de Menezes speaks to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about origins of the Fazendas da
Young Christians in the Holy Land are still reeling from 7 October attacks
During a recent trip to the Holy Land, an ACN delegation spoke to young people and those involved in youth
Syria: Ten years after his abduction, Bishop Hanna Jallouf is a shepherd close to his flock
As the bishop of Latin rite Catholics in Syria, the Franciscan Hanna Jallouf is very familiar with the situation in
ACN joins the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in calling for a day of prayer, fasting and penance for peace in the Holy Land on October 7
ACN shares the infinite grief and anguish of all those afflicted by the war, including those who have lost loved ones
Despite the bombardments, religious sister remains in southern Lebanon
People are still carrying trauma from the war in 2006 and there is a big fear that bridges and roads will be bombed again
On the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees ACN draws attention to worldwide need
For more than 70 years, ACN has been involved with refugees and displaced people worldwide. In the face of growing
Church struggles to help migrants in “legal limbo” in the Holy Land
Aid to the Church in Need takes a closer look at this community which makes up a very significant portion of Christians in the Holy Land
Attacks on Lebanon “are affecting everybody”
The wave of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon is having a devastating effect on the entire population
Burkina Faso: Displaced Christians feel like the exiled people of God in Babylon
In Rollo in particular, the terrorists ransacked and burned everything, and the next day they killed several people who were fleeing along the road.
Pakistan: Christian woman sentenced to death
A Christian mother of four in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for sharing allegedly blasphemous messages on WhatsApp
“Pray the Rosary and there will be peace”
This year, ACN once again invites all children across the world to take part in the “One million children praying
Flooding in Nigeria: “Situation is overwhelming”, says bishop
The flood's unprecedented scale has presented challenges beyond our previous experiences as more than half of the city is under water.
“Faith does not change the situation, but it helps migrants endure their difficulties,” says missionary in the western Sahara region
With migration becoming increasingly inhuman and dehumanising, the community in the western Sahara region is facing bigger challenges than ever.
“40% of our city is under water” says Nigerian bishop
The flood in Maiduguri is believed to be the result of damage to the Alau Dam, located a few kilometres from the city of Maiduguri.
Nigeria: ACN asks for prayers for those affected by the Maiduguri floods
The organisation is committed to providing assistance and relief to those affected by this natural disaster.
Iraq: Rekindling faith in the “Land of Eden”
Traditionally, the village has been inhabited almost exclusively by Aramaic-speaking Christians of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
Argentina: “The migrants have the face of Jesus”
With funding from Aid to the Church in Need, a recent project is working to integrate immigrants in Argentina and
Burkina Faso: “As a pastor, my heart bleeds”
In only a decade, Burkina Faso has become an epicentre of terrorist violence, with over 40% of
Pope Francis expresses great concern at growing attacks on religious freedom, after receiving ACN report
The summary of the report was handed to Pope Francis by Marcela Szymanski, Head of International Advocacy for ACN International.
ACN denounces new Islamist massacres in Burkina Faso
The terrorists then led the men to a nearby Protestant church and there slit the throats of 26 men, including Catholics.
Bishop of Pemba: “Wreckage is all that’s left”
Bishop António Juliasse of Pemba, in northern Mozambique, visited the communities who have suffered attacks by Islamist terrorists and thanked
Chaldean Catholics in Georgia: A living legacy
ACN is offering assistance to the Chaldean Catholics in Georgia, who have suffered much over the years on account of
Over 150 killed in one of the deadliest attacks in the history of Burkina Faso
The Bishop of Kaya calls for a day of mourning and three days of prayer for the victims. On
Chile: Being a Church of hope during challenging times
Following a thrilling trip to seven dioceses in Chile, Rafael D’Aqui, project coordinator for Latin America at Aid to the
Unjustly imprisoned for eight years in Pakistan: “God was with me in this struggle”
In Pakistan there is persecution against Christians, many are unjustly accused of blasphemy and incarcerated in jail.
Christians despair in the Holy Land: “We never thought the war would last so long!”
ACN continues to help Christian communities to survive in Israel and Palestine, supporting projects developed by the local Church to
Papua New Guinea: Christians enthusiastic at forthcoming Papal visit
In September this year, Pope Francis will be making his first trip to Papua New Guinea, a country introduced to
Dr Ochab urges: “The day can help to educate, but action is needed”
Fifth anniversary of the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. 22 August marks the
Jaranwala one year later – no justice, no safety
ONE year on from violence described as the worst outbreak of anti-Christian persecution in Pakistan, Church leaders say people are
Teaching under fire: the mission of the Catholic Church in Gaza
Over 10 months after the start of the war in Gaza, the few Christians remaining in the territory are exhausted and traumatised.
ACN supports more than 1,600 summer camps worldwide
This year, ACN is funding over 1,600 summer camps in 18 countries, including conflict zones, providing youth a peaceful environment to grow in faith
Attacks on Christians increasing in Israel
The Holy Land’s Christians have suffered a “disturbing rise” in attacks including spitting, physical harassment, damage to property and cemeteries,
6 August 2014: The hundred thousand faces of suffering of the Iraqi Christians
The heat in Erbil is overwhelming, with its semi-desert surroundings and its crushing 44-degree Celsius temperatures of Iraqi summer. At
Holy Land: Christian message more important than ever
With the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and escalating tension between Israelis and Palestinians, Christians in the West Bank
Missionaries in Guatemala support neglected Mayan communities
Thanks to support from ACN, three members of the Missionaries of Saint Mary of Guadalupe are committed to serving indigenous