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 …
Author archives: mariobard
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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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 …
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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 …
Over 200 million dollars in donations for suffering Christians around the world
Montreal, Thursday, June 15, 2023 – Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) presents its 2022 annual accounts which reflect a year of record support. Ukraine was the largest individual recipient of help for projects in 2022, receiving almost 10% of the aid, while Africa was the region that received the most support. …
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Project of the Week – Syria
A vehicle for a parish hit by the earthquake In February 2023, a powerful earthquake struck the region of Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. At least 50,000 people died, and a large number of buildings were destroyed. Among the areas most hard-hit was the city of Aleppo in Syria, already devastated by the civil war …