“They assured us that everything would be fine and that we should not worry”

Bishop in Damascus, Monsignor Georges Assadourian The political situation in Syria, which has led to a drastic change in the country’s leadership, continues to deeply affect the lives of its citizens, particularly the Christian communities. Monsignor Georges Assadourian, the Armenian Catholic bishop of Damascus, shared with the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in …

A ray of hope for Christians in the Holy Land this Christmas

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa says that even though he does not believe there is a short-term solution to the crisis in the Holy Land, he does have hope for the future of Christians in the region. The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem believes that the end of the war in Gaza is in sight but warns that …

Haiti on the brink: bishops issue a “cry of alarm” for peace

In the face of rampant violence which is paralyzing Port-au-Prince and isolating Haiti from the rest of the world, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Haiti, in a message received by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), calls on the government to act and appeals to every Haitian to work for peace and overcome hatred. …

ACN calls for prayers for Aleppo amid escalating violence and fear

Syria Following a heartfelt plea from a missionary and ACN’s project partner in Aleppo, the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls on all people of faith to unite in prayer for the safety and peace of this war-torn region. In a voice message shared with ACN, Father Hugo Alaniz IVE, an …

Albania – Two more priests beatified

Two Albanian martyrs, Fr. Luigi Paliq and Fr. Gjon Gazulli, have been declared Blessed by the Catholic Church, during a ceremony held on Saturday, November 16, in the city of Shkodër. “These two men were libelled and unjustly harassed, but their witness of forgiveness and love in the face of their persecutors made them examples …

Bangladesh: Radicalization driving discrimination and attacks against Christians

With Islamist groups gaining more political influence in Bangladesh, Church sources are increasingly concerned about the treatment of Christians and ongoing attacks on Catholic schools. Christians often struggle to find work, church construction projects are delayed, and the future of Catholic schools is under threat, according to a Church source who wished to remain anonymous …

Red Wednesday, from coast to coast!

Many loyal followers and supporters are getting ready to commemorate Red Wednesday across Canada. Here’s a (partial) list showing the enthusiasm for this unique international event! You will find below the names of participating parishes, as well as dioceses and organizations promoting the event. How about you?Will you be taking part in Red Wednesday?Will you …

Colombia – Bombing destroys bishops’ residence and offices in Apostolic Vicariate of Guapi

A powerful explosion in a violent terrorist attack, aimed at the police station in the city of Guapi, in southwest Colombia, left three people dead and destroyed a large part of the bishop’s residence and offices of the Apostolic Vicariate of Guapi, in the early hours of November 2nd. The explosion left the Church buildings …

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 …