Burkina Faso: Priest calls for prayer after three new terrorist attacks

The Diocese of Fada N’Gourma has been shaken by new terrorist attacks in the parishes of Piéla and Saatenga, in the east of the country, causing many deaths and significant material destruction. These attacks form part of a pattern of terrorist violence which has been intensifying in the country since 2015. “The attacks are multiplying. …

Nigeria – Priest trades places with two seminarians about to be kidnapped

Kidnapping for ransom has become an industry in Nigeria, and priests are often targeted. A priest was kidnapped from the minor seminary where he worked, last Sunday, and taken by armed bandits into the bush. Armed gunmen broke into the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, in the Diocese of Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria, at around 7 …

From Argentina to the Philippines: Over one million children united in prayer for peace

One of the highlights of this year’s campaign took place in the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fátima, where Cardinal António Marto thanked the children for their participation, adding that, with them, “God can do great and wonderful things.” This past Friday, over one million children all over the world answered Pope Francis’ call to …

Mozambique – Bishop recalls “seven years of death and suffering” in Cabo Delgado

Bishop António Juliasse says Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) continues to be a “friendly hand,” standing by the local Church in times of need and since the beginning of the conflict, which has already killed over 5,000 people and displaced over one million. Seven years after the beginning of the Islamist insurgency, the …

Burkina Faso: Terrorists carry out brutal massacre over three days

In early October, terrorists killed at least 150 people, including many Christians, in northeastern Burkina Faso, revealing their increasing brutality and determination to spread terror in a country where insurgents now control over half of the territory. On Sunday, October 6, 2024, a new terrorist attack took place in the town of Manni in the …

Pope Francis thanks children for joining ACN’s “rosary for peace and unity campaign,” on Friday, October 18

One Million Children Praying the Rosary Hundreds of thousands of children from several countries, including those which are suffering from conflicts, such as Ukraine, Lebanon, and the Holy Land, or those where Christian persecution remains fierce, such as Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Cameroon, have confirmed they will be participating in the One Million Children Praying …

Crisis in Lebanon: Christians open their doors to thousands fleeing bombardments

The Archdiocese of Baalbek-Deir El-Ahmar in the Beqaa Valley, eastern Lebanon, is suffering a major humanitarian and security crisis as a result of the daily Israeli bombardment. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Msgr. Hanna Rahmé describes the Church’s solidarity with internally displaced people and the disastrous situation which is …

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) …

Despite the bombardments, religious sister remains in Southern Lebanon

Despite ongoing airstrikes, a religious sister has decided to stay with the Christian community in Ain Ebel, Southern Lebanon, just five kilometres from the Israeli border. “There are still some 9,000 Christians here in three different villages. We are in constant danger,” reports Sr. Maya El Beaino from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of …

Pakistan: Christian woman sentenced to death

Shagufta Kiran, mother of four, to appeal conviction A Christian mother of four in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for allegedly sharing blasphemous messages on WhatsApp. But legal advocates, supported by a leading Catholic charity, have vowed to appeal the conviction. Former nurse Shagufta Kiran, 40, was sentenced to death on Wednesday, September 18 …