Burkina Faso – Church, God’s Family: 125 Years of Evangelization

Burkina Faso is celebrating 125 years of evangelization in a country currently marred by violence and terrorism. The African nation occupies first place on the Global Terrorism Index 2025 and suffers from severe security issues, constant attacks against civilian populations, and entire regions that can only be reached by helicopter. Despite this situation, the Church …

Sierra Leone: ACN helps Church face trauma after “senseless war”

A project supported by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) aims to train 150 priests to be “agents of reconciliation, healing, social transformation, and national cohesion.” Fr. Peter Konteh was in bed, asleep, when he first heard the explosions. Jumping to his feet, he called out to the other priest in the house to …

Nigeria: “Let our children go back to school”

A plea for government in northern Nigeria to rethink the sudden and unprecedented closure of schools during Ramadan has come from a bishop concerned for the hundreds of thousands of children affected. Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa of Katsina (photo) said it came as “a complete surprise” when governors in his state as well as Kano, …

Nigerian Church in pain as 21-year-old seminarian murder

The murder of seminarian Andrew Peter follows the recent killing of Fr Sylvester Okechukwu. Nigeria has had three times more kidnappings of clergy and religious in the first three months of 2025 than in the same period of 2024. (Cover photo: Pray to Christ on the cross for the suffering Church in Nigeria. Add your …

Burkina Faso: Two catechists brutally killed in a road attack

The Christian community in Burkina Faso is in mourning following the murder of two catechists in a violent attack on Saturday, January 25, in the Diocese of Dédougou. The victims belonged to the parish of Ouakara and were attacked close to Bondokuy by two armed men while returning from a training session on the life …

Burkina Faso – Vocations grow despite terrorism

Despite the widespread terrorism, which is increasingly affecting Burkina Faso, and although priests and catechists are the main targets among pastoral agents, the country has seen a growth in priestly vocations in recent years. Supporting the training of these future priests is one of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’s priorities. While for most …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Cameroon: It’s not weapons which will defeat Boko Haram, but education and hope

The diocese of Maroua-Mokolo in the Far North Region of Cameroon has suffered sporadic attacks from Boko-Haram. Msgr. Bruno Ateba shares with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) his hope for the future through spiritual and educational formation programs, especially for young people and families. He also explains the importance of translating the Bible …