More than one year after the war began, Pope Francis continues to phone the Catholic parish in Gaza every day and has become a grandfather figure to the children, says Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to give as much support as it can to the small Christian community in Gaza, as …
Category archives: Near-East
Syria – Liturgical celebrations and reopening of schools
A new beginning amid hope and uncertainty As Syria marks the first week of the transition to the new regime, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has gathered firsthand testimonies, providing an on-the-ground look at the current situation in key regions, including Homs and Aleppo, where people are dealing with the uncertainties of a …
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“They assured us that everything would be fine and that we should not worry”
Bishop in Damascus, Monsignor Georges Assadourian The political situation in Syria, which has led to a drastic change in the country’s leadership, continues to deeply affect the lives of its citizens, particularly the Christian communities. Monsignor Georges Assadourian, the Armenian Catholic bishop of Damascus, shared with the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in …
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A ray of hope for Christians in the Holy Land this Christmas
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa says that even though he does not believe there is a short-term solution to the crisis in the Holy Land, he does have hope for the future of Christians in the region. The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem believes that the end of the war in Gaza is in sight but warns that …
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ACN remains firmly committed to supporting Christians in Syria
In light of the recent developments in Syria, the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) wishes to express its continued commitment to the vulnerable Christian communities in Syria, who have endured many years of war, poverty and uncertainty. Regina Lynch, ACN’s executive president stated: “The fall of the Assad regime and the …
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ACN calls for prayers for Aleppo amid escalating violence and fear
Syria Following a heartfelt plea from a missionary and ACN’s project partner in Aleppo, the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls on all people of faith to unite in prayer for the safety and peace of this war-torn region. In a voice message shared with ACN, Father Hugo Alaniz IVE, an …
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Lebanon: “They are safe because they are in the house of God”
In northern Beqaa, the convent of the Sisters of Good Service has been transformed into a refuge for more than 800 people fleeing the bombing. The fifteen sisters from the Melkite Greek Catholic Church are welcoming hundreds of internally displaced people there, offering them not just shelter but also comfort and support. Since September 23, …
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Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launches a fundraiser with the goal of raising $1.5 million
Lebanon – International Emergency Campaign Königstein-Montreal, October 11, 2024 – Christians have been directly affected by the attacks that have occurred in many parts of Lebanon. The Church is doing all it can to help those who have had to flee their homes to safer areas. In Canada, the emergency campaign launched by the national …
Syria-Ten years after his abduction, Bishop Hanna Jallouf remains a shepherd close to his flock
As the bishop of Latin rite Catholics in Syria, the Franciscan Hanna Jallouf is very familiar with the situation in Idlib Governorate, the last rebel stronghold, where he served as a pastor for 22 years until his appointment as bishop in September 2023. In a conversation with an Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) …
Attacks on Lebanon “affecting everyone”
Since Monday September 23, the Israeli army has been heavily bombing Hezbollah targets in Eastern and Southern Lebanon, spreading terror among the population. The provisional death toll currently stands at over 550.The wave of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon is having a devastating effect on the entire population, including Christians, and could drive even …