An adventure of faith in the forest

In the Brazilian Amazon, a Capuchin friar shares the many efforts and trials necessary to spread the Gospel in this vast region and the help that makes it all possible. Friar Paolo Maria Braghini was returning to his mission one afternoon, after having gone to buy supplies in the city, when a cloud began to …

“Being a priest in Nigeria includes the danger of being kidnapped.”

Roads are fraught with danger in Northern Nigeria. Besides the risk of kidnapping, accidents are common and can be fatal. A good car would make Fr. Andrew’s mission easier to accomplish. Video of Fr. Andrew explaining why it is important to have a safer mode of transport in #Nigeria. “Being a priest in Nigeria includes …

RWANDA: Forgiveness is a power given by God

How the Church is helping the reintegration of those imprisoned for genocide against the Tutsis. April 7 was declared International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Twenty-nine years after these tragic events (April 7 – July 15, 1994), the prisoners who are still incarcerated are those who received the …

Haiti – “painful and outrageous.”

Head of the Clerics of Saint Viator describes kidnapping of priest as “painful and outrageous.” Two priests were abducted in recent weeks in Haiti, a country in the midst of a deep crisis. While one of them managed to escape after several days in the hands of his kidnappers, the other was released on March …

Nigeria – Christian leader hoping new leaders will have “the common good of everybody at heart.”

Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, the president elected of Nigeria who will be asserted in May, comes from a region famous for interreligious harmony and is married to a practicing Christian. Christians hope he will be an improvement on President Buhari, who has been accused of being soft on radical Islam and Fulani violence. Nigerian Catholics …

Iraq -Bishop Nathanael Nizar at ACN

“We want to be treated with dignity as Iraqi citizens, because we are people of this country.” Twenty years after the fall of the regime led by Saddam Hussein, Christians in Iraq continue to fight for their right to be treated as equal citizens and to live their faith free from persecution. Pope Francis’ visit …

Syria – “You journeyed with our suffering people until death”

A moving tribute to Father Imad Daher, who died in the 6 February earthquake in Aleppo, Syria, written by a childhood friend. Sister Jacky Abinassif is from Majd el Meouch, in Lebanon, and knew Father Imad Daher well. “He was a friend of my family – he was our neighbour – and a close friend …

Nicaragua-Lent: Government forbids the Stations of the Cross and processions during Holy Week

Church in Nicaragua: “As long as we can get on our knees and raise our hands in prayer to God, we shall not be paralyzed by fear.” The government has forbidden the Stations of the Cross and Holy Week processions, but the faithful remain united around the Eucharist during this Lenten season. “This period of …

On March 8, Boko Haram victims to be greeted by Pope Francis

On March 8, Hear Her Cries* In honour of International Women’s Day, on March 8, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has invited two Nigerian Christians to visit Italy. Maryamu Joseph (16), and Janada Marcus (22) are recent victims of the savagery of Boko Haram terrorists, who have been responsible for the deaths of …

Lebanon – Middle East churches believe “Synod can be a new spring for the Church, like Vatican II.”

The Continental Synodal Assembly for the Middle East was held in February, with the support of Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Catholic delegates from different parts of the world have been taking part in continental assemblies as part of the Church’s Synod on Synodality. Each continent and country has its own …