Shagufta Kausar was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy and spent over eight years in prison. She recently shared her story at the launching of the Religious Freedom in the World Report, in Rome. In the summer of 2013, a mob broke into the simple house where Shagufta Kausar lived with her paralyzed husband, Shafqat …
Author archives: mariobard
Red Week 2025: A global cry for religious freedom
Press Release – For Immediate Release Königstein-Montreal, November 12, 2025 – Over half a million people are expected to take part in ACN’s Red Week 2025 while more than 600 churches will be illuminated in red for faith, religious freedom, and in memory of persecuted Christians. In Canada, around 60 activities have already been announced …
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Ukraine: “We have so much pain in us, but we know we have to live.”
In the Diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia, which sits in a war zone in Eastern Ukraine, the Church has dedicated itself to trauma healing among soldiers and civilians. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’s help is like the hand of God, says the bishop. Life in the diocese takes place against the constant background of the …
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Burkina Faso: Two dioceses hit by new wave of attacks
The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep concern and sadness over the renewed upsurge in terrorism in the Dioceses of Nouna and Fada N’Gourma, respectively in the northeast and southeast of Burkina Faso. Over the past few weeks, civilians and members of the Church have once again suffered …
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ACN expresses solidarity with Cuba after the devastating passage of the hurricane
The organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep sorrow and closeness to the Cuban people following the passage of the powerful hurricane that has struck the eastern region of the country, leaving behind a catastrophe of enormous proportions. Although the material damage has been immense in both cities and rural areas, …
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Canada and religious freedom: numerous concerns
Montreal, October 22, 2025 — “The loss of freedom of religion, conscience, and conviction follows virtually the same curve as that of freedom of the press, once again this year.” Marie-Claude Lalonde, National Director of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Canada for the past 25 years, is observing this trend with increasing clarity. …
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Religious Freedom: A global victim of authoritarianism, extremism, and war
“Religious freedom is a human right, not a privilege.” Rome-Montreal, October 21, 2025 – The international pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched its biennial report “Religious Freedom in the World 2025” today, 21 October 21, 2025, offering a global overview of the state of this fundamental right. The study, covering the …
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Gaza: October 12, first Sunday of Peace After the Ceasefire
The parish priest of Gaza called on his flock to “forgive all those who have failed and to ask forgiveness” for their own shortcomings, as preparation for what he hopes will be an end to this war. (Photo of the banner: a painted wall located more than a thousand kilometers away, in Beyrouth. a little …
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Save the date! Red Wednesday on November 19, 2025
Register your event today! Montreal, October 17, 2025 — Save the date! The 2025 edition of Red Wednesday in Canada will be held on Wednesday, November 19, under the theme “You are the voice of persecuted Christians.” Red Wednesday is an international initiative led by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that aims to …
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Pope Leo XIV calls for renewed commitment to defend religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians worldwide
The Holy Father receives Aid to the Church in Need in private audience This morning, October 10, 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International in a private audience at the Vatican, marking 25 years of the charity’s continued mission to defend the right to religious …