March 15 2025 marked the tenth anniversary of the death of Akash Bashir, a 20-year-old Catholic who sacrificed his life to save hundreds of people when he intercepted a suicide bomber trying to access the church of Saint John, in Youhanabad, in the Diocese of Lahore, Pakistan. That act led to his being raised to …
Category archives: South Asia
ACN Success Story – India
A newly constructed presbytery for a young parish The parish of Chondonpara in the Diocese of Tura in eastern India is still very new, having only been founded in October 2024. The new presbytery was inaugurated at the same time, thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, who donated $60,000 for this purpose. They celebrated …
Catholic Priest killed in Myanmar conflict
Statement by Regina Lynch, ACN International Executive President “It is with profound sadness that we received the tragic news of the brutal murder of Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win, a 44-year-old priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mandalay, in central Myanmar. His lifeless body, mutilated and bearing numerous stab wounds, was found by members …
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Global Day of Prayer for Peace in Myanmar
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9) February 1st is an important date for Myanmar, marking the beginning of the Myanmar Civil War, in 2021. The country has faced moments of great suffering and challenges over the past years. As a community of faith, we come together on this …
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Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) organizes Global Day of Prayer for Peace in Myanmar
Press release – For Immediate release Montreal-Königstein, January 23, 2025 – Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is calling for a Global Day of Prayer for peace in Myanmar, which will be celebrated on February 1. On this date, which marks an important anniversary in the country’s recent history, the charity’s headquarters …
Murder of Suleman Masih: Christian Community in Gujranwala, Pakistan shaken
The tragic death of Suleman Masih, a 24-year-old Christian, has shocked the local community and once again highlighted the challenges faced by Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan. Suleman was attacked on December 29, 2024, in Kot Saadullah, Rahawali, Gujranwala, and succumbed to his injuries on January 1, 2025. According to information provided to …
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“Never take the freedom to express your faith for granted”
Message of a Pakistani Priest for Christmas In Lahore, Pakistan, where Christians make up only a small minority in a predominantly Muslim society, Christmas takes on a special meaning. Despite facing significant challenges and restrictions, the Christian community continues to celebrate the birth of Christ with deep faith. Father Lazar Aslam, a Franciscan Capuchin priest, …
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ACN Project of the Week – Bangladesh
A three-year outreach program for all ages The Archdiocese of Dhaka in Bangladesh serves a population of just 85,000 Catholics. As in all the country, Catholics in the capital city of Dhaka are a minority, representing less than 1% of the population. Over 90% of the population in this country of South Asia is Muslim, …
ACN Project of the Week – India
Help for the training of 25 Norbertine novices The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré—also known as the Norbertines—was founded in France in the 12th century and has around 1,600 members on six continents today. In 1960, Dutch Norbertine Fathers founded what is now the Abbey of Jamtara in India and just two years later, …
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 …
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