Posts Tagged ‘Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’

As persecution worsens in Burkina Faso, Christians come back to the Church

Monday, September 11th, 2023

An expert on anti-Christian persecution says that escalating jihadist violence in the African nation of Burkina Faso is producing the paradoxical effect of inducing lapsed Christians to return to religious practice. Maria Lozano of the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) described the phenomenon as “a beautiful message of faith.” In a Read more

Young people in Syria and Lebanon to taste World Youth Day

Thursday, July 20th, 2023

Young Christians afflicted by war and poverty in Syria and Lebanon will be able to participate in this year’s World Youth Day (WYD) at local events in parallel with the main gathering in Lisbon, Portugal. Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will be helping to create a WYD experience as close to Read more

Religious freedom report reveals worsening global persecution

Monday, June 26th, 2023
Religious freedom

A new report has revealed that 61 countries encompassing 62% of the world’s population severely or totally restrict religious freedom. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has released its latest edition of the Religious Freedom Report, shedding light on the increasing persecution faced by individuals and communities worldwide. The report, published every two years Read more

Pakistan: Problem of abduction of Christian girls grows worse every day

Monday, April 24th, 2023

The Director of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Pakistan, Emmanuel Yousaf, says abductions and forced conversions of young women from Christian minorities are on the rise. “The problem is becoming more acute day by day,” the priest said in an interview with the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need Read more

Offer concrete support to Turkey and Syria urges Pope

Thursday, February 16th, 2023
Turkey and Syria

Pope Francis is urging people to pray and offer concrete support for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked both countries last week, toppling buildings and killing tens of thousands. Hearing the call, the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will be providing at least NZ$800,000 of immediate Read more

Oceania’s Catholic bishops call for more aid in Turkey and Syria

Monday, February 13th, 2023
Catholic bishops

Following last week’s deadly earthquakes, New Zealand’s Catholic bishops joined with all Oceania’s Catholic bishops in sending Church and civic leaders in Turkey and Syria a united message of condolence. “Our hearts break at the death and destruction we are seeing on our television screens and in our newspapers,” they wrote last week during the Read more

Catholic charity says Beirut’s children are traumatised

Monday, August 24th, 2020

A group focusing on young people’s needs says Beirut’s children are traumatised and need help. The trauma is a result of the huge explosion that caused at least 180 deaths and 6,000 injuries. Many of Beirut’s children are in need of psychological support, according to a delegation from the heart of the recovery effort. Speaking Read more

Thousands of Christian volunteers helping after Beirut blast

Monday, August 10th, 2020

Thousands of Christian volunteers are clearing debris and delivering urgent aid to people in Beirut, following last week’s devastating explosion. Medicine, clothes, blankets and food are in huge demand. Monsignor Toufic Bou-Hadir, director of the Maronite Patriarchal Commission for Youth, is praising the efforts of the young Christian volunteers “amazing” response to what he calls Read more

Reopening much loved war-damaged cathedral a silver lining

Thursday, July 23rd, 2020

Reopening a war-damaged cathedral in the Syrian city of Aleppo has provided a sliver lining for the community. The Maronite Cathedral of Saint Elijah has special significance for Maronite Catholics in the area. After lying in ruins for several years, Christmas Mass was celebrated in the cathedral in 2016 amid debris and ash. The war-damaged Read more