DR Congo: Local ACN sources confirm massacre with 70 bodies found in North Kivu church

Over 70 bodies were found in a Protestant church in a village near Lubero, North Kivu, according to local sources contacted by the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The killings took place between February 12 and 15, in a village called Maiba, near Lubero. On February 12, rebels from an …

Zimbabwe – Religious sisters the “foot soldiers of Christ”

Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the Church has been slow to recognize the contribution of sisters to the Church’s work, but that fortunately in Zimbabwe this is beginning to change. The bishop of Masvingo in Zimbabwe says that the Church in his country, and in general, owes a …

Supporting Catholic radio stations in war zones

To commemorate World Radio Day on February 13, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is highlighting its ongoing support for Catholic radio, an essential tool for both spreading information and evangelizing throughout the world. In 2024, the charity committed over $770,000 to 22 radio projects in 19 countries. Hundreds of Catholic radio stations are …

Burkina Faso: Two catechists brutally killed in a road attack

The Christian community in Burkina Faso is in mourning following the murder of two catechists in a violent attack on Saturday, January 25, in the Diocese of Dédougou. The victims belonged to the parish of Ouakara and were attacked close to Bondokuy by two armed men while returning from a training session on the life …

DR Congo: Missionary describes chaos in Goma, with “many dead and refugee camps under attack”

Two weeks after the M23 armed group attacked the city of Goma, there is still fighting in the province of North Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to a worsening of the humanitarian conditions in the region. A missionary in the country tells Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) …

Jubilee of Martyrs Pilgrimage, May 6 to 15, 2025

Embark on a sacred journey with ACNJoin our pilgrimage today*! Organized in collaboration with Spiritours, a Quebec license holder, take part in ACN’s Jubilee of Martyrs Pilgrimage, in Italy, from May 6 to 15.  This special trip includes:   – A Private Audience with Pope Francis– A visit to Assisi– A private Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City– A wider …

Christians eager to help rebuild a Syria based on equal rights

The situation for Christians in Syria varies from city to city, according to local sources, and Christians have greeted with cautious optimism the transitional government’s guarantees to respect religious freedom. Christian leaders in Syria have expressed their willingness to work with the provisional government, following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, to build a new …

DR Congo: Bishop calls for restraint and respect for human life as fighting rages in Goma

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 …

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 …

Lebanon: between hope and uncertainty

Due to the massive destruction in the Bekaa Valley and in southern Lebanon, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’s emergency relief projects remain very significant for the country. “With the appointment of a new president, hope returned to Lebanon,” reports Marielle Boutros, project coordinator of the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in …