A vehicle for an extensive parish The island nation of Indonesia comprises over 17,000 separate islands, over 6,000 of which are inhabited. Geographically speaking, most of them are part of Asia, though some are part of Australasia. With over 273 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the most populated Muslim nation in the world. However, the religious …
Author archives: mariobard
Iraq—Patriarch Sako leaves Baghdad in response to the president.
His Eminence Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch and the leader of the Chaldean Church has publicly announced his decision to “withdraw from the patriarchal seat in Baghdad, and go from where I am currently in Istanbul, on a church, mission, to one of the monasteries in Iraqi Kurdistan.” The announcement was made in a statement …
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Pakistan – Christians put in danger by the desecration of the Quran in Sweden
The Catholic Church in Pakistan has condemned the act and says it stands in solidarity with Muslims, calling on Sweden to ensure respect for all religions in society, as the Pakistani Government expressed concern for the security of Church buildings in the country. Christian organizations all over the world have condemned the desecration of the …
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ACN Project of the Week – Sierra Leone
A presbytery for a new parish Sierra Leone’s recent history has been a painful one. Indeed, the consequences of the country’s bloody civil war can still be felt today. Between 1991 and 2002, half the population was uprooted and forced to flee, thousands of people were murdered, and to this day poverty, unemployment, and corruption …
Iraq – Looking for leaders to help rebuild the Church
A gathering of almost 2,000 young Christians in Iraq provides hope for the future and encourages new generations to stay and invest in their country and in their community. International charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) helps make this project a reality. Over 1,800 young Christians from seven archdioceses and over 60 parishes …
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Pakistan – Defender of religious freedom single-handedly stops mob
Religiously, Pakistan is a diverse country. In many respects, Christians are second-class citizens in this country, with a population that is 95 percent Muslim. They face discrimination, kidnappings, and forced conversions to Islam, and anyone who “defiles” the Quran or insults Muhammad can face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Yet the country also has …
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Cameroon – A new cathedral for the Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo
Today, Saturday, July 8, this is the consecration of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, in the city of Maroua—part of the Far North Region of Cameroon. This step will conclude the nine-year construction project in the heart of the Maroua-Mokolo Diocese, supported by international pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need …
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ACN Success Story-Zambia
114 bicycles for catechists in a rural diocese Almost everywhere in Africa, priests can count on catechists who offer crucial support. Indeed, in the many geographically extensive parishes, it is the catechists who teach and help people grow in their faith, often in very remote villages. They also help prepare them for the reception of …
ACN Project of the Week – Ukraine
Helping to support internally displaced persons in a church youth centre The war in Ukraine has prompted the greatest wave of refugees since the Second World War. In total, almost 15 million people have been forced to flee—around seven million of these within their own country. Many have found shelter in Church-run facilities. Currently, 98 …
Democratic Republic of the Congo – The Church at the bottom of a mine
Despite the extreme poverty of its population, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the main suppliers of rare minerals in the world. The Church is committed to ensuring that miners are treated more fairly. They live far from the cities and can only imagine what the ugly grey rocks they extract from …
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