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) …
Category archives: News
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 …
Continue reading “Jubilee of Martyrs Pilgrimage, May 6 to 15, 2025”
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 …
Continue reading “Christians eager to help rebuild a Syria based on equal rights”
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 …
Continue reading “Massacres spoil Christmas celebrations in Nigeria”
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 …
Mali: Catholic education system in danger
Twenty twenty-five could be a difficult year for Catholic schools in Mali. According to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’s Malian project partners, state subsidies will cease from the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, which will plunge these schools into an uncertain future. Mali is a country which is increasingly suffering the influence …
Continue reading “Mali: Catholic education system in danger”
Burkina Faso: “When the catechist’s family has food, then the whole community has something to eat”
The Diocese of Nouna thanks Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for supporting catechists. (Cover photo: Emmanuel is one of the catechists who, because of his extreme poverty, is one of the food aid recipients). Thanks to help from the international pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Burkinabé Diocese of …
Being a priest today: One of the most dangerous missions in the world
The number of priests and religious kidnapped in 2024 increased, while the number arrested for reasons of persecution decreased. In total, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) registered 122 cases impacting priests and religious, including 13 murders, 38 kidnappings, and 71 held under arrest. Ten of these incidents involved women, eight of whom were …
Continue reading “Being a priest today: One of the most dangerous missions in the world”
North Kivu, DR Congo – A hard Christmas
“Many people are fleeing their villages,” says missionary Fr. Marcelo Oliveira accuses neighbouring countries of instigating the violence taking place in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebel groups did not even respect a Christmas truce. (Cover photo: in 2017, victims of M23 set camp in Goma outskirts). Christmas was a difficult …