In Burkina Faso, catechists are the heroes of the Church

Catechists, often at the risk to their own lives, are pillars of the Church in Burkina Faso. Despite the continuous terrorist threats against them, they assure, in the absence of priests, the continuity of faith in villages and displacement camps. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a priest from the …

Aid to the Church in Need dedicates Christmas campaign to persecuted Christians in Burkina Faso

Montreal/Königstein, November 28, 2024 – Press Release Since 2015, Burkina Faso, which is around 25% Christian, has become a hotbed of violent Islamist extremism. Since 2019 in particular, priests, religious, and faithful have been increasingly targeted by terrorists. Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will focus its Christmas campaign this year on …

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 …

Burkina Faso: Terrorists carry out brutal massacre over three days

In early October, terrorists killed at least 150 people, including many Christians, in northeastern Burkina Faso, revealing their increasing brutality and determination to spread terror in a country where insurgents now control over half of the territory. On Sunday, October 6, 2024, a new terrorist attack took place in the town of Manni in the …

ACN Success Story: Sierra Leone

A new presbytery in Lakka There is great rejoicing in the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in the suburban parish of Lakka, in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. Thanks to your help, they have been able to consecrate their new presbytery! It was some time ago that we turned to you for …

Nigeria: Aid to the Church in Need asks for prayers for those affected by flooding in Maiduguri

The Nigerian city of Maiduguri, known for having been the hub of Boko Haram activities, is currently grappling with a devastating flood that has engulfed major areas of the metropolis, including St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral. This catastrophic event is said to have been caused by damage to the Alau Dam, located a few kilometres from …

Burkina Faso: “As a pastor, my heart bleeds”

In only a decade, Burkina Faso has become an epicentre of terrorist violence, with over 40% of the country’s territory outside of government control. The Catholic Church is one of the institutions that provides material and spiritual support in this situation. Two Burkinabe priests from one of the dioceses that has been hardest hit by …

Aid to the Church in Need denounces new Islamist massacres

In Burkina Faso, Jihadists killed 26 people in a church, many of them Christians. (Cover Photo: in 2022, Jihadist attack in the Minor Seminary St. Kizito where this crucifix was vandalized.) Local sources (that we keep anonymous to preserve their safety) have told the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) of …

Burkina Faso – Over 150 killed in a terrorist attack

In Burkina Faso, over 150 were killed in one of the deadliest attacks in the history of the country. The Bishop of Kaya calls for a day of mourning and three days of prayer for the victims.  On August 24, the town of Barsalogho in Burkina Faso was the target of a terrorist attack which killed …