Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada and CRTN released a 26-minute documentary titled «Héroes de la fe» to raise awareness about current persecution of Christians. The film features testimonies from Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It highlights the story of a priest killed in a city in northern Iraq, and a victim murdered in Pakistan, both in beatification processes. Other accounts include survivors of Boko Haram attacks in a village in northern Nigeria and Easter bombings in a city in Sri Lanka. The documentary is part of the annual REDWEEK initiative, aiming to sensitize the public about the plight of believers in the 21st century.
A priest in Burkina Faso has requested prayers following recent terrorist attacks in a local diocese. Attackers targeted specific villages, resulting in multiple deaths, including a young girl, and significant property damage. Catechists are increasingly being targeted in this region, which has seen over two million displaced people since violence began in 2015. The priest urged the faithful to pray for peace in Burkina Faso and other conflict zones, citing the ongoing security emergency affecting local communities.
Pope Francis addressed participants at a conference in Rome organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on November 15, 2024. He stated that many Christians worldwide are martyred today for defending justice and peace. The Pontiff cited the 2015 killings of Coptic Christians in Libya and 19th-century martyrs in Uganda as examples. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, who led the attendees, noted that the actual number of martyrs far exceeds those officially beatified. The discussion also covered new criteria for recognizing those who offer their lives without direct persecution. The event took place at the Augustinianum Institute in Rome.
More than 20 monuments, including the Sagrada Familia and Almudena Cathedral in Spain, will be illuminated in red from November 18 to 24. This initiative, organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), marks REDWEEK, a global campaign raising awareness for Christians facing persecution. José María Gallardo, ACN Spain’s director, stated the goal is to remember believers suffering for their faith and defend religious freedom. The event also features an immersive exhibition on martyrdom and a report on 18 countries where Christians are threatened. Over 1,000 buildings worldwide will participate in this international solidarity movement.
Since September 23, intense shelling in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley has forced hundreds to seek refuge at the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Service in Jabboulé. Mother Joselyne Joumaa, the congregation's superior, told ACN that over 800 displaced individuals, mostly Muslims, have been housed in the facility. The sisters provide food, medical supplies, and emotional support, with ACN funding emergency aid. The community relies on the convent for safety, with displaced persons trusting the religious site for protection. The sisters face increasing challenges as winter approaches, struggling to maintain heating and utilities for the growing number of traumatized refugees.
Following an invitation from Pope Francis, more than one million children across 150 countries participated in a global rosary initiative. Supported by Aid to the Church in Need, the campaign aims to pray for peace and unity. A nation in Africa led with over 200,000 registered participants, followed by countries in Asia and Europe. Children from conflict zones joined the effort. A senior church leader praised the children's prayers, stating that their innocence helps bring God's mercy to a world wounded by war. The actual number of participants is likely higher than the official count.
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Monsignor Vitalii Kryvytskyi, the Latin Catholic bishop of Kiev-Zhitomir in Ukraine, has converted local parishes into safe havens for civilians displaced by the ongoing war. According to Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada, his diocese employs 70 priests who remain in their posts despite the conflict. They provide shelter in basements, distribute food to the poor, and offer spiritual support to soldiers. The bishop warns that resources are depleting and fears potential military conscription of clergy. ACN has provided significant financial aid to support these emergency pastoral and humanitarian efforts in the region.
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A priest and indigenous rights advocate was shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle in a city in Chiapas, Mexico. He was returning from a church service when the ambush occurred. The priest had received death threats due to his work mediating conflicts and defending communities against armed groups. Senior church leaders expressed deep sorrow, highlighting his dedication to justice. Authorities are investigating the murder, with officials promising that the crime will not go unpunished.
A bishop in Mozambique marked the seventh anniversary of the Islamist insurgency in a northern region. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, he described seven years of displacement, death, and hunger affecting the area. The conflict has caused thousands of deaths and displaced over a million people. The bishop criticized the lack of peace, noting that attacks have increasingly targeted Christians. He expressed gratitude for ongoing support from ACN, which continues to assist the local diocese in addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing violence.
In Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, Maronite Archbishop Hanna Rahmé reports that Christian families in Deir el Ahmar and Baalbek are hosting thousands of displaced neighbors fleeing Israeli airstrikes. The archdiocese states that between 5,000 and 13,000 people have sought refuge in private homes, schools, and religious buildings. Rahmé emphasizes that this solidarity extends to Muslims, citing Christian teachings on hospitality. However, the archdiocese warns that local families are overwhelmed and lack sufficient aid, as international NGOs primarily support those in institutional shelters. The group urgently requests food, bedding, and financial assistance to sustain these vulnerable households during the ongoing conflict.
Sister Maya El Beaino remains at the Convent of Saint Joseph in Ain Ebel, southern Lebanon, despite ongoing Israeli bombardments near the border. She states that 9,000 Christians still live in the area, facing constant danger and lacking basic services like hospitals and reliable electricity. The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has provided medical and food assistance to locals who refused to flee. Sister El Beaino, who also directs the local Catholic school, notes that classes are suspended due to safety concerns. ACN executive president Regina Lynch urges prayers for peace and an end to the violence affecting the region.
Marielle Boutros, ACN project coordinator in Lebanon, states that recent Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets are devastating the entire population, including Christians. She warns that displacement from the south to Beirut and Mount Lebanon could trigger another Christian exodus. ACN continues emergency aid, such as food and hygiene products, while schools remain temporarily closed for online learning. Churches are serving as shelters for displaced families. Boutros emphasizes the severe trauma and economic hardship facing residents, urging an end to the conflict.
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One year after the October 7 attacks, Christian youth in the Holy Land face uncertainty and economic hardship. The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has funded 40 projects totaling 1.7 million euros to support this community. According to the outlet, aid includes humanitarian supplies, job creation programs, and pastoral centers in Cisjordan and Galilee. Leaders like Father Ramez Twal and Monsignor Rafic Nahra note increased discrimination and a need to strengthen faith identity. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that offer hope and employment to ensure the future of Christians in the region.
Nassib Joseph Karam, a Christian resident of Byblos, Lebanon, describes widespread fear as Israel intensifies airstrikes and launches ground operations. Although Byblos has not faced direct recent attacks, the area has received many displaced persons from southern Lebanon and Beirut, straining local resources. The Lebanese Church has condemned the war and is providing shelter and aid to refugees, including one priest who housed over 10,000 people. Karam notes that the conflict affects all citizens regardless of religion, creating deep uncertainty. ACN continues to distribute food and medicine to support affected families in the region.
A senior Latin Catholic bishop in Syria discussed the plight of local Christians with Aid to the Church in Need. A decade after his kidnapping in a northern province, he noted that only a few hundred Christians remain, mostly elderly. Strict restrictions on religious practice and education force families to homeschool or emigrate. With most of the population in poverty, the bishop emphasizes forgiveness while seeking peace and stability for the war-torn nation. He continues to negotiate with rebel groups to protect the remaining faithful, highlighting the severe decline of the Christian community in the region.
On September 30, 2024, the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) announced its support for a day of prayer, fasting, and penance scheduled for October 7 in the Holy Land. Regina Lynch, ACN’s executive president, urged supporters worldwide to join Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, in commemorating the first anniversary of the ongoing conflict. The initiative aligns with Pope Francis’s call for peace, seeking to extinguish hostilities through forgiveness and compassion. ACN expressed deep sorrow over the violence affecting Christians and others in the region, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the Feast of Our Lady of the Roson during this period of mourning and hope.
Ahead of the 110th World Day of Migrant and Refugee on September 29, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls for the creation of welcoming and missionary communities. The Pontifical Foundation highlights the difficult conditions faced by millions displaced by war, poverty, and natural disasters. According to the outlet, ACN supports local churches in providing pastoral care and resources across regions including the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, with significant aid directed to Ukraine. Pope Francis’s message emphasizes that God walks with the marginalized.
In Argentina, the Catholic Foundation for Argentine Migrations, supported by Aid to the Church in Need, is working to integrate the country's 2.5 million immigrants. Father Juan Antonio Ramírez Moreno highlights barriers like language and culture. The initiative includes a prayer guide titled 'Praying with Migrants' and training for pastoral agents. Additionally, an art calendar featuring Latin American Marian images was created by Karina Carrescia. Pope Francis received the calendar and encouraged the artist to continue promoting Gospel joy through her work. The project aims to foster spiritual inclusion and recognize migrants as bearing the face of Jesus.
The Catholic Church in Cuba faces significant challenges in maintaining pastoral activities due to the worsening economic and social situation. According to Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN), a lack of fuel and reliable transportation hinders efforts to spread the Gospel. In a city in central Cuba, a pastoral agent reports that families cannot afford transport costs for marriage encounters. Meanwhile, in another region, a lay workshop handles most vehicle repairs, noting that maintaining aging vehicles is increasingly difficult. ACN states that external aid is essential to ensure these religious activities continue despite the high costs of mobility and maintenance.
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