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TURKEY: Mass stipends from ACN, a vital lifeline

Christians are a small minority in Turkey. With priests serving the small number of scattered faithful, Mass stipends provided by ACN are essential support.  “We do not forget you when we ascend to the Lord’s altar,” writes Fr Massimiliano Testi, one of 26 priests in the Apostolic Vicariate of Istanbul [...]

2025-05-06T22:50:41+02:00

UKRAINE: Pain, Hope and Faith Amidst War

Crying women, soldiers with emotional and physical wounds, families destroyed by uncertainty…Fr Anton Lässer and Magda Kaczmarek from ACN report on these and other stories, which make visible the deep wounds of the conflict in Ukraine.  The scars of the war in Ukraine are not only visible on bodies; they [...]

2025-04-23T12:30:41+02:00

HAITI: ‘Everyone is at risk’

Haiti’s growing security crisis is taking a deadly toll on the Church and civilians alike, according to a missionary Sister. Sister Helena Queijo told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that Haiti’s population is “suffering greatly” because of the increased violence around the capital, Port-au-Prince. The Spiritan [...]

2025-04-23T12:16:04+02:00

BURKINA FASO: Catechist prays 700 Hail Marys in one night during kidnapping ordeal

A catechist in Burkina Faso has given a harrowing account of his four months in captivity with his pregnant wife in the hands of militant extremists. Speaking out now about his ordeal, Mathieu Sawadogo told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that he “never stopped praying” after [...]

2025-04-23T11:58:49+02:00

ACN mourns Pope Francis: Tireless fighter for oppressed Christians

“Pope Francis was the pontiff for the people on the edges of society and a tireless fighter for religious freedom and oppressed Christians. That is how we remember him, and we trust that we now have another advocate in heaven for our work.” So spoke the Executive President of the [...]

2025-04-21T22:31:47+02:00

Burkina Faso: A Church full of life, despite terrorism and violence

Burkina Faso is celebrating 125 years of evangelisation in a country currently marred by violence and terrorism. The African nation occupies first place in the world terrorism ranking, and suffers from severe security issues, constant attacks against civilian populations, and entire regions that can only be reached by helicopter.  Despite [...]

2025-04-09T12:48:53+02:00

Despite hardships, Christianity grows “astronomically” in northern Nigeria

Bishop Habila Daboh of the Diocese of Zaria, Nigeria, spoke to ACN about the difficult situation that Christians in the north of the country are experiencing, but also insists that, despite everything, his people are happy, because they have Jesus Christ. Christians in northern Nigeria have to endure many difficulties. [...]

2025-04-09T11:29:58+02:00

HOLY LAND: Thank you for keeping the Christian presence alive

Life in Jerusalem’s Old City is difficult for the Christians who continue to live there, many of whom are poor. ACN has been providing help to struggling families through projects carried out by the Latin Patriarchate The Old City of Jerusalem is a magical place to visit. The narrow, cobbled [...]

2025-04-09T11:11:30+02:00

VENEZUELA: Nurturing vocations, offering hope

The escalating inflation in Venezuela has left the clergy unable to cover all the costs of living. Yet, trusting God’s providence, priests and religious continue to minister, offering spiritual solace to those in need. Supporting new priests is at the core of ACN’s mission, as it strengthens the Church’s role [...]

2025-04-02T03:46:51+02:00