Nigeria – A Dark Holy Week.

Fulani herdsmen slaughter over 30 IDPs in Africa’s most populated country The latest case of violence carried out against mostly Christian farmers in Central Nigeria has left at least 35 dead. On Holy Saturday, April 8, an attack on internally displaced people (IDPs), carried out by Fulani herdsmen, caused nearly three dozen fatalities and countless …

Churches in the Holy Land warn of rise in anti-Christian incidents

Attacks on churches, schools and cemeteries by fundamentalist Muslims, Jews and even state authorities are worrying the Christians of the Holy Land. The Patriarchs and heads of Churches in the Holy Land have warned of a rise in anti-Christian incidents, such as attacks on holy sites, schools and even funeral processions. Joint statement of the …

Haiti – “painful and outrageous.”

Head of the Clerics of Saint Viator describes kidnapping of priest as “painful and outrageous.” Two priests were abducted in recent weeks in Haiti, a country in the midst of a deep crisis. While one of them managed to escape after several days in the hands of his kidnappers, the other was released on March …

Nigeria – Christian leader hoping new leaders will have “the common good of everybody at heart.”

Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, the president elected of Nigeria who will be asserted in May, comes from a region famous for interreligious harmony and is married to a practicing Christian. Christians hope he will be an improvement on President Buhari, who has been accused of being soft on radical Islam and Fulani violence. Nigerian Catholics …

Syria – “You journeyed with our suffering people until death”

A moving tribute to Father Imad Daher, who died in the 6 February earthquake in Aleppo, Syria, written by a childhood friend. Sister Jacky Abinassif is from Majd el Meouch, in Lebanon, and knew Father Imad Daher well. “He was a friend of my family – he was our neighbour – and a close friend …

Pope Francis, 10 years in solidarity with persecuted Christians

This past Wednesday, March 8, the Holy Father met with two young Nigerian Christians who were victims of jihadist persecution. (Cover photo: Pope Francis in Iraq, March 2021). On the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate, Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) highlights the Holy Father’s closeness to Christians who suffer persecution …

Nicaragua-Lent: Government forbids the Stations of the Cross and processions during Holy Week

Church in Nicaragua: “As long as we can get on our knees and raise our hands in prayer to God, we shall not be paralyzed by fear.” The government has forbidden the Stations of the Cross and Holy Week processions, but the faithful remain united around the Eucharist during this Lenten season. “This period of …

On March 8, Boko Haram victims to be greeted by Pope Francis

On March 8, Hear Her Cries* In honour of International Women’s Day, on March 8, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has invited two Nigerian Christians to visit Italy. Maryamu Joseph (16), and Janada Marcus (22) are recent victims of the savagery of Boko Haram terrorists, who have been responsible for the deaths of …

Pakistani Catholic escapes forced conversion to Islam

For years, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has been highlighting the suffering of women and young girls subjected to abduction and forced conversion in countries around the world. Many cases go unknown, but shocking testimonies like the story of Kinza Sindhu (14) show the urgency of this issue. Kinza was raped and forcefully …

Lebanon – Middle East churches believe “Synod can be a new spring for the Church, like Vatican II.”

The Continental Synodal Assembly for the Middle East was held in February, with the support of Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Catholic delegates from different parts of the world have been taking part in continental assemblies as part of the Church’s Synod on Synodality. Each continent and country has its own …