A ‘burning for the Kingdom of God’ at Aid to the Church in Need

Since April 2023, Father Anton Lässer has been the ecclesiastical assistant of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), based in Königstein im Taunus, Germany. He is responsible for the spiritual life of the charity and works with its 23 national offices. Lässer belongs to the Passionist Order, and before becoming a priest, he worked for a management consulting firm, among other jobs. ACN spoke with him about his first impressions of his new office.

How did you come to your new position?

Father Anton Lässer: As happens so often in my life, the task came to me. I received a call from the office of Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who has been president of Aid to the Church in Need since 2011. He asked me if I would be willing to take on the task of ecclesiastical assistant. I replied, “I do what the Church wishes me to do.” But that is for my religious superiors to decide. So, I prayed and submitted to this decision.

What were your first impressions of Aid to the Church in Need?

It feels a bit like swimming in the ocean. Aid to the Church in Need is a very complex international organization. In my first weeks, we were visited by many bishops from all over the world; I attended meetings of the main bodies of Aid to the Church in Need in Rome and of the directors from the national offices. I am in good contact with different levels of leadership. We want to use this opportunity to reflect on the office of ecclesiastical assistant at both the international and national level and continue to make it fruitful.

Is there anything that has amazed or surprised you?

I am really amazed by how dialogue is conducted at various levels, but also by the faith of all those who bear responsibility at Aid to the Church in Need. I have never encountered a charity that is so professionally organized on the one hand, and on the other, has so many people who are burning for the Kingdom of God. The pastoral orientation of Aid to the Church in Need is very special. Not only do we help where there are wars or natural disasters, but we also support the survival of the Church, and specifically the religious women, priests, and workers who could not live and work without this aid. A great advantage is our strong networking with project partners in all parts of the globe. Their involvement makes a decisive contribution to fulfilling our responsibility to our donors.

What do you think is special about Aid to the Church in Need, in comparison to other relief organizations?

Aid to the Church in Need began after the Second World War, with benefactors supporting people in need who were once their enemies. That was a huge grace. Another special feature, in my view, is that its appeal for support is linked to a very clear proclamation of faith. In this way, the donations become gifts through which others are touched by the love of God. Aid to the Church in Need is a community of prayer. It is something special when our workers begin their work before the tabernacle, or when during Holy Mass, they keep their project partners in their thoughts. And a very important point is this: Aid to the Church in Need does not act as an organization that determines how things must be done on the ground. There is always dialogue with the recipients. We and our benefactors are like a bridge of hundreds of thousands of people, whose gifts and prayers give aid wherever the Church is in any need.

—Tobias Lehner