The Catholic Church in Pakistan has condemned the act and says it stands in solidarity with Muslims, calling on Sweden to ensure respect for all religions in society, as the Pakistani Government expressed concern for the security of Church buildings in the country. Christian organizations all over the world have condemned the desecration of the …
Continue reading “Pakistan – Christians put in danger by the desecration of the Quran in Sweden”
A gathering of almost 2,000 young Christians in Iraq provides hope for the future and encourages new generations to stay and invest in their country and in their community. International charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) helps make this project a reality. Over 1,800 young Christians from seven archdioceses and over 60 parishes …
Continue reading “Iraq – Looking for leaders to help rebuild the Church”
Religiously, Pakistan is a diverse country. In many respects, Christians are second-class citizens in this country, with a population that is 95 percent Muslim. They face discrimination, kidnappings, and forced conversions to Islam, and anyone who “defiles” the Quran or insults Muhammad can face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Yet the country also has …
Continue reading “Pakistan – Defender of religious freedom single-handedly stops mob”
Despite the extreme poverty of its population, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the main suppliers of rare minerals in the world. The Church is committed to ensuring that miners are treated more fairly. They live far from the cities and can only imagine what the ugly grey rocks they extract from …
Continue reading “Democratic Republic of the Congo – The Church at the bottom of a mine”
Local Church sources have little doubt that the clashes that have pitted Hindus against Christians in the state of Manipur are part of a wider agenda to encourage the Hindu base to vote for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in upcoming elections. The fierce clashes that have been going on for weeks in the …
The Catholic Church has been playing a discrete but important role around dialogue that could effectively end the plague of terrorist violence in northern Mozambique. Father Eduardo Roca, a project partner of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), founded the Interreligious Centre for Peace, in the Diocese of Pemba, in 2017—the same year terrorist …
One year after the attack on St. Francis Xavier church in Ondo, Nigeria, none of the culprits have been brought to justice. Victims wear their scars as “badges of honour” and their faith is as strong as ever. A Nigerian priest has called for the beatification of around 40 Christians who were killed in an …
Continue reading “Nigeria – Priest calls for the beatification of Pentecost Sunday attack victims”
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) was present at the latest bishops’ conference in Brazil, the largest Catholic country in the world. The pontifical charity used the opportunity to spend time with the bishops of the poorest dioceses, but also to share stories of Christian suffering from other countries, namely Nigeria. The international charity …
Continue reading “Brazil – Bishops moved to tears over help received from ACN benefactors”
Regina Lynch becomes new executive president As of June 14, 2023, international Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will be led by Regina Lynch, the long-serving head of projects for the charity. She will take on the role of executive director for the next five years from her predecessor, Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern …
Continue reading “Changes in the leadership of ACN International”
The attack, which left two dead and six wounded, took place on May 16 at a Catholic school in Sangota, in northeastern Pakistan. (Cover Photo: Archive of 2018, in St. Joseph Primary School, Rawalpindi) A police officer who was doing security work for a Catholic school for girls in northeastern Pakistan opened fire on a …
