Urgent: Countries of Concern
Syria
KILLED WHILE PRAYING
During Sunday Mass on June 22nd, a suicide bomber set off explosives at the entrance of Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria. At least 22 faithful were killed and 63 injured.
Nigeria
SET ON FIRE AND MACHETED
On June 13th, extremists attacked the Christian town of Yelewata in Nigeria. Up to 200 people were massacred as they slept. Shelters were set on fire. Anyone who tried to escape was macheted.
Lebanon
ON THE BRINK OF DESPAIR
Mass displacement. No food or basic items. Economic failure. Families unable to provide for their children. Catholic schools shutting down. Every aspect of daily life has been touched by despair in Lebanon.
News of the Suffering and Persecuted
ACN provides summer camps and activities for almost 100,000 children in 15 countries
For many children from poor or war-stricken communities, summer camps and other activities are an opportunity to have fun and grow in the faith in a secure environment, accompanied by religious and Church workers. Almost 100,000 children are benefiting from summer camps and other activities funded by pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) this summer. For many years, ...
Lebanon: The Church remains vibrant despite ongoing crisis
The Church in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley is thriving, despite the ongoing armed conflict and economic instability. Christian families and individuals are offering a powerful witness by looking after those displaced by the war. New religious congregations are also on the rise, helping to keep the Faith alive in Christianity’s heartland in the Middle East. The Beqaa Valley, known as Lebanon’s breadbasket, ...
Public memorial to victims of 2022 Nigeria church attack demolished
Like the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan, a public memorial park dedicated to the victims of a deadly Pentecost Sunday attack on a church in Nigeria provided consolation to those who lost loved ones. Now, for reasons that are still unclear, the Governor of Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria, decided to demolish the public memorial. The demolition was carried out earlier ...
A friend, a shepherd, a witness: ACN remembers Iraqi bishop
It is with sadness and gratitude that Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) bids farewell to Bishop Paul Thabet Habib of Alqosh, who passed away on June 20, following a battle with cancer. To us, he was not only a close partner, but a true companion in mission. Bishop Thabet Habib Yousif Mansor Almako played a key role during the ...
Religious robbed, held at gunpoint, and threatened with decapitation in Mozambique
The Mercedarian Sisters were the second congregation to suffer an armed robbery in a matter of days, as the violence in northern Mozambique steadily worsens. The Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in the Diocese of Pemba, Mozambique endured a near-death experience on June 8, when the home they run was broken into by a group of men armed with guns ...
Syrian priest: “People are telling us, ‘Father, we are afraid for the future of our children.’”
“We feel that we are alone”: The priest echoes the pain of the Christian community after the attack in Damascus last Sunday. “Christians in Syria are feeling a great pain. The Christian community throughout Syria is going through a moment of deep sadness: the loss of 30 Christians who died in this attack. So far, there are 54 wounded.” This is ...
A Catholic charity serving our suffering and persecuted brothers and sisters around the world since 1947
Projects of the Month
A Convent for the St. Vincent’s Sisters in Belize
Belize is a small country of only about 400,000 souls in Central America. Since it is a former British colony, ...
Help for the Priestly Formation of 76 Religious in Nigeria
Nigeria is a dangerous country for Christians, especially for priests. In the past 10 years, over 150 priests were abducted, ...
A Tent for Youth Meetings and Pastoral Events in Ukraine
As a result of the war, most people in Ukraine are suffering fear, trauma, and psychological stress, while many are ...
