The Voice of the suffering in Latin America

On visit to Venezuela, ACN executive president struck by generosity of spirit among those hit by June 24 earthquakes An impoverished population might have been down due to years of economic turmoil in Venezuela, but they are definitely not out, said Regina Lynch, executive president of Aid to the Church in Need. Lynch and a small team from ACN headquarters in Germany flew to Bogota, Colombia, and then to Valencia, Venezuela. The twin earthquakes that devastated the country June 24 ...

The Superior General of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, who was due to return to Rome, speaks movingly about the faith displayed by the people amid tragedy. The double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24, claiming more than 3,000 lives and affecting thousands of families, has mobilized the Church throughout the country, as Caritas centers and many parishes become hubs of relief efforts, supported by numerous volunteers. The Superior General and a General Councilor of the Pious ...

Venezuelans are a people of faith and have a Church that is close to the population, giving much hope in face of tragedy, Regina Lynch says. The executive president of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), will be travelling to Venezuela, following the tragic earthquakes that killed thousands of people. Regina Lynch will arrive in the country on Tuesday, July 7, to visit the dioceses most affected by the earthquakes, and to express the closeness of ...

In one of the poorest and most densely populated communities in Caracas, the Church has mobilized to care for the wounded from La Guaira. ACN has approved an emergency aid package of $113,828 to support the Church’s response to the catastrophe. When Venezuela was struck by deadly earthquakes recently, Bishop Juan Carlos Bravo Salazar of Petare was in Merida, over 300 miles away. With all flights canceled, he had to embark on a 16-hour trip by land back to his ...

Denis Alaniz keeps a close eye on his homeland as he enjoys freedom and democracy in “home away from home.”As America celebrates its 250th birthday, the “inalienable rights” of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness acknowledged by the Declaration of Independence continue to inspire millions of would-be immigrants and refugees.Those rights — including religious liberty — are still denied to significant numbers of people living under oppressive regimes.Denis Alaniz is one of those refugees who has come to these shores ...

Archbishop Raúl Biord of Caracas says the Church is accompanying victims of the earthquakes while rescue efforts continue. As search and rescue efforts continue following the devastating earthquakes that shook Venezuela, the Church has begun to deal with the great challenge of accompanying a deeply traumatized population. “For those who survived, it was a miracle, but we lost many people,” says Archbishop Raúl Biord of Caracas, speaking to international charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The magnitude of ...