An argument between young people from the Christian village of Al-Suqaylabiyah and the neighbouring village of Al-Qalaa led to terror which could have ended with tragedy. Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has received reports of a violent incident in the predominantly Christian town of Al-Suqaylabiyah, in rural Hama, during which an …
Category archives: Near-East
Gaza Catholic school reopens for 1,000 pupils after nearly three years of war
The parish priest of Gaza has said that the reopening of a Catholicschool in the devastated territory offers “a sign of hope” for people who have very little to be hopeful about. Holy Family School in the old city of Gaza reopened this morning forapproximately 1,000 students, serving the local Holy Family Catholic Parish, but …
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Lebanon: 7,465 youth find a much-needed break in summer camps
In Lebanon today, organizing a few days of activities for youth has become an obstacle course. Yet, for the local Church, these camps are more necessary than ever. This summer, Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is funding 61 camps in different regions of Lebanon, benefiting 7,465 children and young people. Local …
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The return of Christians in Iraq, “a national priority”
The Iraqi government is offering incentives for Christians to return to the country. The prime minister’s words will be discussed at the upcoming meeting of Iraqi Catholic bishops in August. Iraq’s Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has declared the return of Christian families a national priority and pledged to include returnees in a government program that …
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Beatification of Patriarch Hoyek a sign of hope for Lebanon
Today (July 25), in Lebanon, the Maronite Church will celebrate the beatification of Patriarch Elias Hoyek (1843-1931), the father of “Greater Lebanon” and founder of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family, with whom Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has several projects. Today, thousands of faithful are expected in Dimane, the …
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Statement by the president of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)
”Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has received with deep concern the urgent appeal issued by His Excellency Archbishop Georges Iskandar, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Tyre, regarding the growing insecurity affecting the city of Tyre in Southern Lebanon and, in particular, its historic Old Quarter. At this critical moment, ACN expresses its solidarity …
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“Your presence is a mission”
New Chaldean Patriarch to Iraqi Christians In a message to Paul III Nona, ACN’s executive president recalled the sufferings of the Chaldean faithful in Iraq, who “have so often been called to bear witness to their Christian faith in times of persecution and suffering.” The new patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church was officially installed …
War brings both hope and despair to Lebanon
Archbishop Hanna Rahme, of Baalbek Deir El-Ahmar, in Lebanon, seeks to keep up evangelization efforts, welcome refugees, live alongside the Shias, and encourage hope in the midst of constant crises and successive wars. The congregation of the Monks of Beit Maroun, Servants of the Cedar of Lebanon, is a new congregation founded in 2019, composed …
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Christians of Yaroun fear they will never return home
The Christian residents of the south-Lebanese border town of Yaroun are living in fear that they will never be able to return to the land of their ancestors. Fr. Charles Naddaf, the parish priest of the local Greek Catholic Melkite church, spoke to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about the community’s concerns. “Yaroun …
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ACN mourns Syrian archbishop who never abandoned his flock
Archbishop Jeanbart believed that had it not been for the care of God, the Christians of Syria would have been wiped out during the civil war. It was with sadness that Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) learned of the death of its long-time project partner Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart, aged 83, last …
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