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 …

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 …

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 …

Myamar – Calls for prayers

Myanmar: Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls for prayers for new bishop of Kayah State International charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls for prayers on the occasion of the episcopal ordination, on June 29, Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, of Msgr. Celso Ba Shwe as bishop of Loikaw, capital …

Project of the Week – India

Aid for the renovation of a convent The Handmaids of Mary, an Indigenous women’s congregation, was founded in 1944 to care for those on the margins of society, in particular the women and children of the disadvantaged ethnic minorities and the Dalits (previously known as the untouchables)—members of the lowest class in society. Today, the …

India – Government-sponsored Hindu nationalism at root of interreligious clashes in Manipur

Local Church sources have little doubt that the clashes that have pitted Hindus against Christians in the state of Manipur are part of a wider agenda to encourage the Hindu base to vote for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in upcoming elections. The fierce clashes that have been going on for weeks in the …

Religious Freedom Report 2023: persecution worsens and impunity reigns

Press Release – For Immediate Release Königstein-Montreal, Wednesday, June 21 – Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has released the latest edition of its Religious Freedom Report (RFR), which reveals that persecution has increased since January 2021, while impunity continues to reign for attackers, including oppressive governments. The RFR has been published …

Thank you for helping us!

On this Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) says thank you! You are one of the 364,695 benefactors around the world who support the work of the Church everywhere, especially where the communities are poor and persecuted. Thank you for your support! Cover: young people from Lithuania …