To the great joy of Latin Catholics in Jerusalem gathered at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Eminence Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presided—exceptionally on December 22—the Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord. ✝️ “Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you” ✝️ In communion …
Author archives: mariobard
“Never take the freedom to express your faith for granted”
Message of a Pakistani Priest for Christmas In Lahore, Pakistan, where Christians make up only a small minority in a predominantly Muslim society, Christmas takes on a special meaning. Despite facing significant challenges and restrictions, the Christian community continues to celebrate the birth of Christ with deep faith. Father Lazar Aslam, a Franciscan Capuchin priest, …
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Ukraine Church leaders to ACN: “Thank you for helping us save lives”
Ukrainian Church leaders have sent Christmas Greetings to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), thanking the charity for its material and spiritual support over these three years of war. In their messages, they highlight the country’s current challenges, such as an increase in stress levels and a shortage of resources in several regions. Cover …
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Mozambique – “What will become of us?”
Cabo Delgado was the area most affected by the fury of Cyclone Chido, which swept through Mozambique in the early hours of Sunday, December 15, after causing destruction in the French archipelago of Mayotte. There are dozens of fatalities and thousands of people asking how they will survive after having lost everything. In an initial …
King Charles III attends Advent service in support of Iraqi Christians
On Tuesday, December 17, King Charles III was present for a special Advent service at a Church in Mayfair, London, co-hosted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The service at the Church of the Immaculate Conception celebrated the courage and perseverance of Iraqi Christian communities and reflected on the 10th anniversary of the …
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The Church wants to offer a joyful Christmas in Gaza and elsewhere in the Holy Land
More than one year after the war began, Pope Francis continues to phone the Catholic parish in Gaza every day and has become a grandfather figure to the children, says Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to give as much support as it can to the small Christian community in Gaza, as …
ACN Project of the Week – Ecuador
A vehicle for a parish in the Andes The parish of San José de Cuatro Esquinas (Saint Joseph of the Four Corners) in the Diocese of Guaranda lies at an altitude of well over 10,000 feet (3,100 m), around 8 km from the city of Guaranda, capital of Bolivar Province. It includes over 50 villages …
Syria – Liturgical celebrations and reopening of schools
A new beginning amid hope and uncertainty As Syria marks the first week of the transition to the new regime, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has gathered firsthand testimonies, providing an on-the-ground look at the current situation in key regions, including Homs and Aleppo, where people are dealing with the uncertainties of a …
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In Burkina Faso, catechists are the heroes of the Church
Catechists, often at the risk to their own lives, are pillars of the Church in Burkina Faso. Despite the continuous terrorist threats against them, they assure, in the absence of priests, the continuity of faith in villages and displacement camps. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a priest from the …
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“They assured us that everything would be fine and that we should not worry”
Bishop in Damascus, Monsignor Georges Assadourian The political situation in Syria, which has led to a drastic change in the country’s leadership, continues to deeply affect the lives of its citizens, particularly the Christian communities. Monsignor Georges Assadourian, the Armenian Catholic bishop of Damascus, shared with the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in …
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