In this message, which was sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the bishop denounces the killings “of a peaceful population, left without defense and without security,” the abduction of persons “without a single trace,” and the rape of girls and women.

The NJCP, a long-time project partner of ACN, also provided recommendations to the Pakistani authorities, aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future, improving law enforcement protocols, and fostering interfaith dialogue.

Pope Francis sent the participants a message of support, in which he described the migrants’ route through the Darién Jungle as “a real Way of the Cross.”

In 2023, the charity provided almost 1.75 million Mass stipends to 40,767 priests. Statistically, this means that one in every 10 priests in the world received support from ACN, and that every 18 seconds, a Mass was celebrated somewhere around the world for the intentions of ACN donors.

“Despite all this, the number of faithful in the archdiocese has increased. And our schools and hospitals are among the most renowned in the country.” Over the past 30 years, 16 new parishes have been established, and the archdiocese boasts 25 female and 13 male religious congregations, and 106 seminarians.

Archbishop Warda said that many Christians have either left or are planning to leave the country because of the ongoing economic hardship, and that young people “ask for jobs, not just to receive donations.” He explained that, even though persecution is no longer their main concern, “the pressure of being a minority is real.”