One month after the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela, Caracas Archbishop Raúl Biord stated that the Church remains active in La Guaira and Caracas despite damaged buildings. Biord noted that while official death tolls are low, between 20,000 and 30,000 people remain missing. The Church, supported by Caritas and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), provides food, spiritual comfort, and trauma care. ACN executive president Regina Lynch announced a second aid package exceeding the initial 100,000 euros, focusing on reconstruction and healing. The archbishop emphasized prioritizing the well-being of clergy and volunteers serving the affected population.
The Aid to the Church in Need foundation is financing 61 summer camps across Lebanon this year, benefiting 7,465 children and young people. Local dioceses and the Marian Apostolic Movement organize these events to provide a safe refuge for minors affected by regional conflicts. The initiative is part of a global program supporting camps in 11 war-affected countries. Organizers report that the camps help alleviate psychological trauma, anxiety, and isolation caused by recent escalations in violence. Archbishop Elie Béchara Haddad describes the effort as a vital act of resistance and spiritual support for the community.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Father Ubaldino Andrade, a Salesian missionary in Palabek, Uganda, told ACN that the Church remains steadfastly present for refugees fleeing war in South Sudan. While international agencies often withdraw due to funding or security issues, the local Catholic community continues to provide spiritual and material support. The camp houses 97,000 Christians who gather in 17 chapels. Andrade emphasized that faith helps refugees retain their dignity despite losing everything. He thanked supporters for their prayers and generosity, noting that the Church's permanent presence offers hope where other organizations have left.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 169 people and injuring over 600. The epicenter was located in a region of Chocó province, with significant damage reported in several cities. The Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) foundation has approved emergency funding to support affected Christian communities. Local bishops confirmed structural damage to several churches, including the collapse of a tower at a major cathedral. ACN leadership stated that multiple regions are seriously affected, prompting immediate solidarity efforts and ongoing assessments by local dioceses to aid the persecuted believers impacted by the disaster.
Regina Lynch, executive president of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), visited Venezuela following the June 24, 2026 earthquake. She described the situation in La Guaira as apocalyptic, citing massive destruction and an estimated death toll in the tens of thousands. Lynch praised the Catholic Church's rapid response, noting that Caritas volunteers provided essential aid and spiritual support. ACN has pledged an initial 100,000 euros to assist clergy and victims, with long-term plans for reconstruction and trauma care. The organization highlighted the resilience of local church infrastructure and the dedication of religious workers despite their own personal losses.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Aid to the Church in Need reported its Mass stipend program supported over 40,000 priests worldwide. This initiative aids roughly one in ten clergy members, providing essential financial help to those serving in regions facing extreme poverty, conflict, or religious persecution. Key areas receiving support include countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The funds help priests cover basic living expenses, liturgical supplies, and travel costs, ensuring they can continue their pastoral duties. ACN describes the stipends as a vital bridge of ecclesial fraternity, allowing donors to support clergy in vulnerable zones through voluntary offerings rather than direct payments for sacraments.
Religious sisters have served indigenous communities in a remote region of Colombia for decades. The area is characterized by high-altitude mountains and difficult terrain, with distances sometimes exceeding twenty kilometers. These geographical barriers make travel extremely challenging. The group emphasizes that a reliable vehicle is essential to navigate local roads safely. This transport would enable the sisters to continue their ministry effectively and bring the Church closer to isolated residents who face significant access issues. The outlet reports that securing this vehicle is critical for maintaining their presence and support in these hard-to-reach locations.
Father Cosme Bethieu, a priest in Benin, told ACN that many local Christians attend Mass without shoes due to extreme poverty. Although Benin is majority Christian, the young Church faces challenges including religious syncretism and potential spillover persecution from neighboring Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The foundation Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada supports the local community. Father Cosme established a parish group to assist the needy, noting that while political reforms offer hope, material lack remains severe. He urges the wealthy to support the poor to maintain peace and fulfill their spiritual mission.
Following a major earthquake on June 24, 2026, in Venezuela, the Catholic Church has become a central source of aid in La Guaira and Caracas. Father Martín Vegas reports that parishes are distributing food and medical support to displaced residents. The foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) sent a delegation and provided 100,000 euros to assist affected communities. Bishops Pablo Modesto and Raúl Biord emphasize that spiritual comfort and logistical help are crucial for rebuilding lives. The Church continues to offer sacraments and psychological care as the region faces ongoing aftershocks and devastation.
A religious brother from the De La Salle congregation informed ACN that the Catholic Church in Cuba remains active despite severe economic hardship and shortages. He emphasized the urgent need to train pastoral agents to serve rural areas and neighborhoods, as older clergy have passed away and new members lack sufficient formation. While many citizens feel hopeless and seek to emigrate, the Church continues to provide spiritual support and material aid. The brother noted that evangelical churches often offer more frequent services, which has drawn some Catholic faithful away, highlighting the necessity for a better Catholic pastoral presence.
A bishop in northern Nigeria recently met with representatives of Aid to the Church in Need to discuss interfaith relations. He stated that education is the best tool for building peace between Christians and Muslims. The bishop highlighted that daily life in the region features strong family and community bonds that transcend religious differences. He also addressed serious challenges, including corruption, insecurity, kidnapping, and vigilante justice. He emphasized that shared moral values and collaborative efforts, such as opening schools to displaced families, are essential for fostering a just and stable society in the predominantly Muslim state.
A prominent aid organization highlights the successful return of Christians to a region in northern Iraq after ISIS defeat as a potential model for Nigeria. In a state in central Nigeria, over two million displaced people, mostly Christians, face violence from militants. While the government proposes resettlement, local clergy argue for returning to ancestral lands to avoid demographic changes. The organization notes that in Iraq, over half of displaced persons returned between 2017 and 2019. They suggest similar cooperation between the Nigerian government and the Church could restore dignity and social fabric in regions affected by conflict.
The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need funds hundreds of summer camps across multiple nations, serving tens of thousands of children and young people. The initiative targets regions devastated by war and displacement, with participants primarily coming from areas experiencing severe instability. These programs provide essential pastoral care, protection, and healing for youth, including many refugees and those with disabilities. Additionally, the foundation supported thousands of participants in other pastoral activities in various other countries. Local church leaders state that these camps offer a vital space for hope and normalcy amidst ongoing conflict and displacement.
The Diocese of Oslo has inaugurated a permanent sanctuary dedicated to Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians, located in the Church of St. John in the Bredtvet neighborhood. Bishop Fredrik Hansen established the site to raise awareness about the suffering of believers worldwide. The bishop cited Vatican data stating that approximately 400 million Christians face persecution, with around 5,000 killed in 2025. The initiative aims to foster prayer and solidarity, joining similar centers in cities like New York and London. The diocese also plans to highlight religious freedom issues in Europe and support victims through international advocacy.
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
