Hundreds of Christians were killed in a violent attack in a region of northern Nigeria over the weekend. Armed assailants targeted displaced persons sheltering in a local village, using firearms and fire. Local church authorities confirmed the high death toll, describing it as one of the area’s worst atrocities. Clergy identified the attackers as Fulanis who shouted religious slogans. A prominent religious leader condemned the violence and prayed for peace. The incident highlights escalating security failures and displacement in this predominantly Catholic area, raising concerns for believers in the region.
The Church of the Assumption in Santiago, Chile, has been fully reconstructed after being destroyed by fire in 2020 during social unrest. The building, which is 149 years old, was vandalized in 2019 and completely burned down the following year. The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) managed the restoration project, funded by global donors. Cardinal Fernando Chomali presided over the reopening Mass on May 25, 2025. The new structure retains symbolic artifacts from the original temple, including a broken crucifix. The parish priest, Jaime Tocornal, emphasized the importance of restoring the spiritual center for the community.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A major aid organization reported that a European nation received the highest funding in 2024, totaling 8.5 million euros for spiritual and psychological support amid ongoing conflict. A West African country entered the top ten recipients for the first time, receiving over 2.3 million euros due to rising jihadist terrorism. The organization supported projects in 137 countries, with Africa receiving 30.2 percent of funds. A European donor contributed 17.2 million euros, driven by increased mass stipends. The foundation relies entirely on private donations to assist persecuted Christians globally, as confirmed by an independent audit.
A Syro-Catholic archbishop in Syria stated that citizens live without dignity or trust following the recent regime change. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, he described extreme poverty and fear caused by armed Salafist militants. Many families, including Christians, are attempting to emigrate due to insecurity and economic collapse. While the archbishop noted no direct persecution of Christians, he highlighted social unrest and the impact of sanctions. He expressed hope that lifting sanctions could restore jobs and stability, allowing the Church to help rebuild the country.
Cardinal José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid, congratulated Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) Spain on its 60th anniversary. Speaking on June 2, 2025, he emphasized that the organization helps Christians follow persecuted believers. Cobo stated that the suffering of martyrs offers hope and highlights the importance of religious freedom. He urged the faithful to learn from these testimonies and incorporate the struggles of persecuted Christians into their own faith journey. The Archbishop noted that ACN Spain unites voices to show a compassionate Church even amidst suffering. This message was delivered in Madrid, Spain.
Translated from Español
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Alice Yamamura on UnsplashGood news and persecution
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Catholic parish priest in Gaza, reports that the enclave has received no aid convoys for three months. His parish, the Holy Family Church, shelters approximately 500 people, including refugees and disabled individuals. According to ACN, the blockade forces the community to ration food and water. While Israel allowed only 90 trucks on May 22, daily needs are estimated at 500. Romanelli states that no one discusses post-war reconstruction or the right to remain, leaving residents to focus solely on survival amidst ongoing conflict and mental health struggles.
A coadjutor bishop in the Central African Republic reports improved relations between Christians and Muslims. He notes that despite past conflicts between militias, current interfaith dialogue shows lasting progress. The bishop cites an imam attending a Christmas mass as evidence of this peace. He also recalls a papal visit that fostered unity. The bishop emphasizes that the war was primarily ethnic and political, not religious, and urges the nation to follow the legacy of its founder for lasting stability.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
The Catholic aid organization ACN is releasing a special edition of its children's Bible during the Jubilee of Families in Rome, Italy, from May 30 to June 1. During the family feast and prayer vigil on May 31 at St. John Lateran Square, ACN will distribute 10,000 copies in five languages. The updated edition features a new foreword by Monsignor Rino Fisichella and modernized illustrations to help families transmit faith. Since 1979, the publication has reached millions globally, aiming to strengthen spiritual connections between generations through accessible religious materials.
Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) in Spain celebrates six decades of operation, highlighting the essential role of its volunteer network. Currently, more than 200 volunteers support the foundation's mission across the country. José Fernández Crespo, head of the promotion department, describes these individuals as the heart of the organization, enabling approximately 1,200 annual activities such as conferences and charity concerts. These efforts aim to raise awareness about persecuted Christians globally. The foundation has expanded its presence to 44 dioceses, with active delegations in 27 regions, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. This growth follows support from the Spanish Episcopal Conference, which endorsed ACN's evangelizing work.
Father Alfonso López Quintás, founder and first president of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in Spain, congratulated the organization on its 60th anniversary. Speaking on May 27, 2025, he thanked current members and benefactors for their work supporting persecuted Christians. López Quintás noted that persecution is worsening globally and praised his successors for adapting to new needs. He expressed hope that the organization would remain effective in aiding suffering communities. ACN Spain was established in 1965 and has expanded its operations to cities including Barcelona and Pamplona over the decades.
Two sisters from the Congregation of the Little Sisters of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus were killed by armed gangs in Mirebalais, Haiti, on Monday. Archbishop Max Leroy Mésidor of Port-au-Prince confirmed the murders and noted that the attackers also killed others hiding with the nuns. The incident highlights the worsening security crisis, as gang violence spreads from the capital to other regions. The archbishop reported that 28 parishes in Port-au-Prince are closed, and many priests have fled. Marco Mencaglia of Aid to the Church in Need expressed deep consternation over the deaths and the severe impact on the local Church.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 2 outlets
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Syed Bilal Javaid on UnsplashPersecuted church
A young Christian worker is receiving treatment in a hospital in Pakistan after being severely injured in an attack. His supervisor assaulted him following his refusal to convert to Islam and alleged desecration of Quran pages. Police have arrested the supervisor and registered the case as attempted murder. A priest visited the victim, highlighting the persistent intolerance and false blasphemy accusations faced by religious minorities in the region. The incident underscores ongoing social coercion against minority communities in Pakistan, reflecting the severe persecution Christians endure there.
Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) organized a pilgrimage to Rome from May 7 to 11, 2025, for the Jubilee of Martyrs. Approximately 1,000 participants from around the world crossed the Holy Door in the Vatican. During this event, nearly 40 Spanish pilgrims presented an icon of 20th-century martyrs at St. John Lateran Basilica on May 8. The artwork, a replica of a piece in Madrid by painter Nati Cañada, depicts saints and Christians persecuted during the previous century. The group says the icon honors figures such as Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Saint Christopher Magallanes. The pilgrimage also included the consecration of ACN to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Aid to the Church in Need Spain celebrates its 60th anniversary by highlighting its ongoing support for persecuted Christians worldwide. The foundation emphasizes its mission of prayer, information, and charity. Significant efforts include providing over 25 million euros to Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, focusing on pastoral care and trauma healing. In Iraq, ACN has spent 56 million euros to help Christians return to the Nineveh Plains after ISIS displacement. The organization also raised awareness for Nigerian Christians through media campaigns and honors martyrs like Akash Bashir in Pakistan. Additionally, ACN supported the Venezuelan Church during the 2019 humanitarian crisis. These initiatives demonstrate the group's long-term commitment to vulnerable Christian communities across five continents.
Sister Helena Queijo, a Portuguese nun who spent nine years in Haiti, told Aid to the Church in Need that civilians are suffering greatly due to armed band control. She returned to Portugal recently after witnessing the influx of displaced people fleeing violence from cities like Port-au-Prince to rural areas like Jacmel. The group reports that gangs have invaded schools and hospitals, forcing religious orders to evacuate. Kidnappings and robberies threaten everyone, regardless of status. The situation has worsened significantly in recent years, with limited resources straining local communities as more people seek refuge and aid.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Holy Family parish priest in Gaza, issued a plea for peace, stating that continued fighting between Israel and Hamas only worsens conditions for civilians. Speaking to ACN, he reported over 17,000 child deaths and 50,000 total fatalities in the conflict. Romanelli noted that 500 people shelter in the church, where the Catholic community provides aid despite closed borders. He urged prayers for an end to the war and the release of hostages and prisoners, highlighting the extreme poverty and constant danger facing residents in the region.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Following recent earthquakes in a region of Myanmar, ACN reaffirms its support for the nation. The disasters have caused thousands of deaths and injuries, with fears the toll may rise. ACN president Regina Lynch states the foundation will assist the local Church in rebuilding structures and supporting people. This aid continues the organization's commitment to Christians in Myanmar, who already face challenges from a four-year armed conflict. ACN promises to help with essential goods and long-term recovery efforts for the affected population.
The Catholic Church in Burkina Faso celebrates 125 years since the arrival of the first missionaries. Despite the country ranking first globally for terrorism, the Church remains active and vibrant. Archbishop Laurent Dabré highlighted a recent colloquium focused on the Church as a family, addressing security, education, and interreligious dialogue. The event aimed to strengthen social cohesion against extremist groups linked to Al Qaeda or ISIS. Meanwhile, ACN supports seminaries and displaced families affected by the ongoing violence, which has forced many to flee their villages. The celebration underscores the faith's resilience in a predominantly Muslim nation with deep traditional roots.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A priest from a diocese in southern Nigeria has been released after being kidnapped earlier this month. Church officials confirmed his safe return after several days of captivity. He was abducted while traveling to a scheduled retreat for clergy. The local archdiocese expressed deep gratitude for his freedom. Nigerian bishops continue to urge authorities to improve national security conditions amid escalating violence against Christians. The Aid to the Church in Need organization supports the local church in this region as the security crisis worsens, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by religious communities in the area.
Translated from Español
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
