The Voice of the suffering and persecuted​

“In general, people are afraid, but they are showing a solidarity we had not seen in 12 years in Syria. People gather, share, and pray. There is an initiative for a unity prayer in all churches in Damascus, in other governorates, and in the diaspora. This would be on Sunday at 7.30PM local time, and go live on social media,” said Marie Rose Diab, a Syrian who works for ACN in Damascus."

"I saw my husband lying on the ground, lifeless, murdered in cold blood. His corpse was surrounded by eight Fulani herdsmen."

"They use many different expressions to express the 12-year war. But if you ask them about the earthquake that they were exposed to, the answer is just one word: horror."

“The Church in Syria is shocked by the catastrophe. Even as far away as Beirut, people went down to the streets, worried that another explosion was about to unsettle their country. For now, the Church is checking on its people and families."

“Many thanks for such a magnificent and moving ceremony in honor of our persecuted and suffering brothers. It’s shocking. What courage, what faith, what perseverance! I was also shocked by the testimonies of the three guests.”

This visit is a landmark in the history of the youngest country on earth, a country which only gained its independence in 2011. Nobody wants to be left out, Sister Beta explains. “Everybody is paying close attention to the news, expectations are high, there is much joy and hope. Lots of hope!”

"Francis is coming to Congo because this country is very important to the Catholic Church. The DRC has the largest number of Catholics in Africa, and the seventh largest Catholic population in the world. Issues such as mission, evangelization, pastoral life, closeness to the people, etc., are very current here."

“As we prepare to mark the second anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, on February 1, we ask God to move the hearts of all those who can put a stop to this tragedy. We pray also for all the internally displaced, including children, women, the elderly and sick in the affected areas."

The jihadist used a machete to kill the warden of one of the churches, Diego Valencia, married and a father, who was well known locally as the owner of a florist, and injured four more, including a priest. 

“Father Achi’s activities among his people in Kafin Koro could have caused the desire for his abduction or even killing. He has been the voice of counsel and encouragement to the entire people of Kafin Koro in the face of attacks by bandits in the area. People called him, some went to him for counsel on all kinds of matters"