The number of people imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan has surged to more than 700. A woman who spent seven years on death row for the crime says that the country’s legal system is failing Christians.  Christians falsely accused of blasphemy in Pakistan struggle to find lawyers and are discriminated against in the justice system, says Shagufta Kausar, a mother of four who was imprisoned for allegedly sending text messages insulting the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, despite being illiterate and not ...

The war in Gaza shows no sign of stopping, and the Church in the Holy Land is increasing help to preserve the region’s Christian presence, supporting hundreds of families who have lost their livelihoods. The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has stepped up its support for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem – which includes the Palestinian territories – providing emergency help, food, housing, school fees, and medical assistance to more than 600 Christian families.  Most Christians ...

ACN continues to help Christian communities survive in Israel and Palestine, supporting projects developed by the local Church to overcome the difficulties resulting from the war.  With the outbreak of the war on October 7th, the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) stepped up its support for Christian communities in the Holy Land. Currently, ACN directly supports 602 families through the provision of food coupons; 128 families with the payment of expenses, including utilities; and 122 individuals ...

This September, Pope Francis will make his first trip to Papua New Guinea, a country introduced to Christianity about 70 years ago. In this corner of the world, Christians are enthusiastically preparing for his arrival, with the help of missionaries like Father Martín Prado from the Institute of the Incarnate Word. For 10 years, this missionary has lived in Vanimo, a coastal city that the Pope will visit, and he has shared his testimony with Aid to the Church in ...

One year since violence described as the worst outbreak of Christian persecution in Pakistan, Church leaders say people are terrified of more attacks and furious that the culprits have not been brought to justice.   Leading clergy in the Diocese of Faisalabad reported that security services warned Christians in Jaranwala against holding outdoor events on Friday, August 16th, to mark the first anniversary of the atrocities.  In a single day, a mob of thousands torched and ransacked more than 25 churches and at ...

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.  August 22nd marks the fifth anniversary of the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, as established by the UN General Assembly in 2019. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) recently interviewed Dr. Ewelina Ochab, a lawyer, author, and human rights advocate, who came up with the idea and helped secure the support of states for ...