The Voice of the suffering in Latin America

In Guerrero, one of the most violent states in Mexico, faith is the last refuge for a people who live under the weight of organized crime. Bishop José de Jesus González of the Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa carries out his pastoral mission with a commitment that has put him, quite literally, in the line of fire. Bishop Gonzalez arrived in his diocese three years ago, following 12 years in the Prelature of Nayar, where he had already been exposed to serious ...

In the heart of southeastern Guatemala, the small village of Villa Graciela bears witness to the humility and perseverance of the Church. Thanks to the silent commitment of laypeople, such as Mirna Sucely Ramírez and José Flavio Silvestre, pastoral life flourishes among the community, which has been struggling to rebuild not only the physical structure of the Church of Christ of Esquipulas, but also the faith of its neighbors. This is a story which, thanks to the solidarity of ACN ...

The Church of the Assumption was vandalized and set on fire in 2020.  Some stories do have happy endings. On November 8, 2019, during a wave of street protests, several hooded people looted the 143-year-old Church of the Assumption, one of the oldest in Santiago de Chile. The looters made off with artwork and holy images and used confessionals and pews to build barricades in the streets.  One year later, on October 18, 2020, an arson attack completely destroyed the ...

The Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha occupy a special place in the hearts of many Cubans, who know they can count on the “Sanchinas” when they need help. The congregation was founded on the island in 1869 to help the disabled and poor children. Over time, they extended their reach to cover education, support for families and the elderly, vocational schools, and pastoral work in parishes. Sanchina Sisters Isabel and Leonida carry out this work in Camagüey, the third-largest ...

The close collaboration between Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and now-Pope Leo XIV blazed a trail of service and evangelization in Peru. From the Andes to the Amazon, ACN’s projects carry hope and a pastoral presence to where it is most needed.   In this interview, Peruvian Luis Vildoso, who is responsible for ACN’s projects in Latin America, speaks about the fruits of this work and the current challenges that the Church in Peru faces.   ACN worked closely ...

Pope Leo XIV is a bishop who is “going to hear the cry of the suffering Church,” predicts a fellow Augustinian missionary who lived and worked with the future pontiff in Peru for 10 years. As a missionary in Peru, facing threats in a difficult time in the country, the future pope stood by and spoke up for Christians whose freedom and basic rights were violated, said the priest. Father John J. Lydon, OSA, has known Robert F. Prevost since ...