There were tears of sadness and fear in Pakistan on Sunday (20th August) as a crowd of 700 attended Mass outside their burnt-out church following one of the country’s worst outbreaks of persecution in a generation. Amid tight security, Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad presided at the Mass held in the streets of Jaranwala where …
Continue reading “Pakistan – Parishioners gather for Mass outside their torched church”
Several church buildings—between 13 and 17, according to sources—have been attacked and hundreds of Christian homes destroyed after extremists went on the rampage in Pakistan. Christians from the city of Jaranwala, near Faisalabad, in the Punjab region, fled en masse as extremists began throwing rocks and stones and setting fire to buildings. The incident follows …
Continue reading “Pakistan – Christians terrified as mobs burn down churches and homes”
A Catholic archbishop in northeast India, who has seen his diocese at the centre of a wave of deadly attacks, has issued an urgent appeal for prayers “to transform the minds of the people who are led by hatred and religious violence”. In a letter to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Archbishop Dominic …
Continue reading “India, Manipur – Pray for an end to the suffering!”
Hundreds of thousands of young people took part in a variety of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) initiatives during World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 1 to August 6, 2023. The pontifical charity ensured that persecuted Christians from around the world were not forgotten, reminding those present of their brothers …
This summer the charity will support close to 400 camps and gatherings, with most of this financial assistance directed to Lebanon and Syria. Tens of thousands of children and youths from countries in crisis, such as Syria, Egypt, Armenia, Ukraine and Lebanon, will be taking part in camps and summer courses funded by international charity …
Continue reading “ACN increases aid for children and young people in crisis countries”
Even leaders of the Hindu nationalist party are beginning to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of complicity in what has become a widespread attack on Christians. Aid to the Church in Need (CAN) continues to monitor the situation closely. (Photo: A Catholic village burned down by a mob). The situation in the State of …
Continue reading “India: Anti-Christian violence continues to rage in Manipur”
His Eminence Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch and the leader of the Chaldean Church has publicly announced his decision to “withdraw from the patriarchal seat in Baghdad, and go from where I am currently in Istanbul, on a church, mission, to one of the monasteries in Iraqi Kurdistan.” The announcement was made in a statement …
Continue reading “Iraq—Patriarch Sako leaves Baghdad in response to the president.”
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 …
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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”
