Goma, the capital of the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is in imminent danger of being taken over by the M23 rebels who have taken over the airport and parts of the city. Video: M23 entering in the city As fighting reportedly continues within the city, the Church fears for …
Category archives: Africa
Massacres spoil Christmas celebrations in Nigeria
In December—including on Christmas Day—a series of attacks on Christian communities left dozens dead, according to recent reports from local Church sources shared with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Dozens of Christians were killed in attacks at and around Christmas time in Nigeria, especially in Benue State. News of these attacks only recently …
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ACN Success Story – DRC
Three motorcycles for two parishes Thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide $11,620 towards the purchase of three small motorcycles for the Franciscan Fathers running two parishes in the south of the country. Located in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Archdiocese of Kananga covers part of the southern Kasai region, which in …
Mali: Catholic education system in danger
Twenty twenty-five could be a difficult year for Catholic schools in Mali. According to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’s Malian project partners, state subsidies will cease from the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, which will plunge these schools into an uncertain future. Mali is a country which is increasingly suffering the influence …
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Burkina Faso: “When the catechist’s family has food, then the whole community has something to eat”
The Diocese of Nouna thanks Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for supporting catechists. (Cover photo: Emmanuel is one of the catechists who, because of his extreme poverty, is one of the food aid recipients). Thanks to help from the international pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Burkinabé Diocese of …
Being a priest today: One of the most dangerous missions in the world
The number of priests and religious kidnapped in 2024 increased, while the number arrested for reasons of persecution decreased. In total, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) registered 122 cases impacting priests and religious, including 13 murders, 38 kidnappings, and 71 held under arrest. Ten of these incidents involved women, eight of whom were …
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Cameroon: It’s not weapons which will defeat Boko Haram, but education and hope
The diocese of Maroua-Mokolo in the Far North Region of Cameroon has suffered sporadic attacks from Boko-Haram. Msgr. Bruno Ateba shares with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) his hope for the future through spiritual and educational formation programs, especially for young people and families. He also explains the importance of translating the Bible …
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North Kivu, DR Congo – A hard Christmas
“Many people are fleeing their villages,” says missionary Fr. Marcelo Oliveira accuses neighbouring countries of instigating the violence taking place in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebel groups did not even respect a Christmas truce. (Cover photo: in 2017, victims of M23 set camp in Goma outskirts). Christmas was a difficult …
Nigeria: Memorial Mass for massacred Christians
Just over a year after extremists murdered more than 300 people in coordinated attacks targeting Christian villages in Plateau State, Nigeria, the faithful gathered for a special Mass to remember the victims last Sunday (January 5). Cover photo: December 2023, one of the many funerals service for the victims of the massacre. Bishop Michael Gobal …
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Nigeria: prayers requests for two abducted sisters in Anambra
ATTENTION, update: the two religious sisters were released on January 13. Thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray for those oppressed by kidnapping. Two religious sisters, Vincentia Nwankwo and Grace Okoli, were abducted this past Tuesday, January 7 in Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. They belong to the congregation of the Sisters …
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