Pakistan – Parishioners gather for Mass outside their torched church

There were tears of sadness and fear in Pakistan on Sunday (20th August) as a crowd of 700 attended Mass outside their burnt-out church following one of the country’s worst outbreaks of persecution in a generation. Amid tight security, Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad presided at the Mass held in the streets of Jaranwala where …

Aid to the Church in Need proposes the Rosary for peace!

A prayerful start to a new school yearOne Million Children Praying the Rosary is back. Press Release – One Million Children Praying the Rosary Montreal, August 18, 2023 – In Canada, it is back-to-school season and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is proposing a pastoral activity for the start of the 2023-2024 school …

India, Manipur – Pray for an end to the suffering!

A Catholic archbishop in northeast India, who has seen his diocese at the centre of a wave of deadly attacks, has issued an urgent appeal for prayers “to transform the minds of the people who are led by hatred and religious violence”. In a letter to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Archbishop Dominic …

WYD 2023 – Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) gives a voice to the persecuted Church in Lisbon

Hundreds of thousands of young people took part in a variety of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) initiatives during World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 1 to August 6, 2023. The pontifical charity ensured that persecuted Christians from around the world were not forgotten, reminding those present of their brothers …

India: Anti-Christian violence continues to rage in Manipur

Even leaders of the Hindu nationalist party are beginning to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of complicity in what has become a widespread attack on Christians. Aid to the Church in Need (CAN) continues to monitor the situation closely. (Photo: A Catholic village burned down by a mob). The situation in the State of …

Iraq—Patriarch Sako leaves Baghdad in response to the president.

His Eminence Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch and the leader of the Chaldean Church has publicly announced his decision to “withdraw from the patriarchal seat in Baghdad, and go from where I am currently in Istanbul, on a church, mission, to one of the monasteries in Iraqi Kurdistan.” The announcement was made in a statement …

Iraq – Looking for leaders to help rebuild the Church

A gathering of almost 2,000 young Christians in Iraq provides hope for the future and encourages new generations to stay and invest in their country and in their community. International charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) helps make this project a reality. Over 1,800 young Christians from seven archdioceses and over 60 parishes …

Religious Freedom Report 2023: persecution worsens and impunity reigns

Press Release – For Immediate Release Königstein-Montreal, Wednesday, June 21 – Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has released the latest edition of its Religious Freedom Report (RFR), which reveals that persecution has increased since January 2021, while impunity continues to reign for attackers, including oppressive governments. The RFR has been published …

Over 200 million dollars in donations for suffering Christians around the world

Montreal, Thursday, June 15, 2023 – Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) presents its 2022 annual accounts which reflect a year of record support. Ukraine was the largest individual recipient of help for projects in 2022, receiving almost 10% of the aid, while Africa was the region that received the most support. …

Nigeria – Priest calls for the beatification of Pentecost Sunday attack victims

One year after the attack on St. Francis Xavier church in Ondo, Nigeria, none of the culprits have been brought to justice. Victims wear their scars as “badges of honour” and their faith is as strong as ever. A Nigerian priest has called for the beatification of around 40 Christians who were killed in an …