Although relations between the Church and the state have improved over the past century, the bishops denounce the cartels’ “parallel government,” which undermines religious freedom in Mexico. (Banner photo: In 2022, the funeral of Jesuit Fathers Joaquín Mora and Javier Campos, who were allegedly murdered by members of a drug cartel.) The Catholic bishops of …
Continue reading “Mexico: Aid to the Church in Need Joins the Bishops’ Appeal”
From Spain to the USA, several churches have been vandalized in the past three months. Although the attacks seem unrelated to each other, they show that religious freedom is not to be taken for granted, even in majority Christian countries. The popular European shrine of Medjugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was vandalized and desecrated in …
Continue reading “Medjugorje desecration latest in wave of attacks on churches”
Twelve years after a couple were burned alive in a brick kiln, justice has still not been served, Pakistan’s bishops say. Bishops say Supreme Court decision is part of a cycle of injustice for victims of persecution. Bishops in Pakistan have spoken of their dismay after the country’s Supreme Court quashed the sentences of three …
Continue reading “Pakistan: No justice for young couple burned alive”
Press Release Montreal, June 18, 2026 – In exactly 5 months, on November 18, churches, monuments, schools, and buildings across Canada will be illuminated in red for Red Wednesday, a global initiative to raise awareness about religious persecution and freedom of religion. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Canada is pleased to announce that …
Continue reading “Red Wednesday 2026 in Canada: Join in solidarity today!”
The number of churches attacked or vandalized in Europe and the Americas continues to rise, but Christians are often unaware of the legal tools available to combat discrimination and persecution—or, even when they are aware, they rarely make use of them. (Banner: The historic parish church of La Asunción, located in downtown Santiago, Chile, was …
Continue reading “Anti-Christian attacks on an upward trend”
Press Release – For Immediate Release Montreal, May 14, 2026– As part of its annual tradition, the Canadian office of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) invites you to mark your calendars for the eighth edition of Red Wednesday, which will take place on Wednesday, November 18. (Banner photo: participants in Saint John XXIII …
Continue reading “Red Wednesday 2026 – Save the Date! November 18”
The bishop of Wukari tells ACN about the suffering of his people and says that the federal government of Nigeria must do more to stop violence. The Diocese of Wukari, in Taraba State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, is experiencing a severe security crisis caused by armed groups composed mostly of the Fulani ethnic group. “In …
Continue reading “Nigeria: “We are part of the martyrdom of the 21st century””
The last entirely Christian village in the West Bank, Taybeh, east of Ramallah, has been enduring a wave of attacks and intimidation by Israeli settlers. Hostile acts include setting fire to agricultural lands, cars, and the walls of an ancient church, hateful and threatening graffiti, livestock released into the village, not to mention the numerous …
Continue reading “Taybeh: Do Not Let Palestinian Christians Become a Memory of the Past”
The number of kidnappings also dropped slightly compared to 2024 but remains a major problem in parts of Africa. Fewer priests were arrested or kidnapped in 2025 compared to 2024, but the numbers remain worrying in many parts of the world according to data collected by the international organization Aid to the Church in Need …
Continue reading “Significant drop in arrests of priests in 2025 but deaths increase”
Press Release – For Immediate Release Königstein-Montreal, November 12, 2025 – Over half a million people are expected to take part in ACN’s Red Week 2025 while more than 600 churches will be illuminated in red for faith, religious freedom, and in memory of persecuted Christians. In Canada, around 60 activities have already been announced …
Continue reading “Red Week 2025: A global cry for religious freedom”
