More Islamist massacres in Burkina Faso

Jihadists have killed 26 people in a church in Burkina Faso, many of whom are Christians. The attack took place only one day after the massacre in the village of Barsalogho, in the Dioceses of Kaya where at least 150 people were killed, although the actual number may be as high as 250, according to local sources, with another 150 seriously injured.

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BURKINA FASO: 150 killed in deadliest attack in nation's history

Over 150 people have been killed in one of the deadliest attacks in the history of Burkina Faso. The Bishop of Kaya called for a day of mourning and three days of prayer for the victims. There have been multiple Islamist attacks in Burkina Faso this August. This was one of the bloodiest in the history of the country, which has been suffering from Islamist terrorism since 2015.

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Christians despair in the Holy Land: “We never thought the war would last so long!”

ACN continues to help Christian communities to survive in Israel and Palestine, supporting projects developed by the local Church to overcome the difficulties resulting from the continuing war. Currently, ACN directly supports 602 families in the Holy Land.

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Jaranwala: One year after August attacks, Christians are still not safe

One year on from violence described as the worst ever outbreak of anti-Christian persecution in Pakistan, Church leaders say people are both terrified of more attacks and furious that culprits have not been brought to justice. The Christians of Jaranwala are grateful to ACN benefactors for making it possible for them to receive this very necessary aid from the charity.

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Unjustly imprisoned for eight years in Pakistan: “God was with me in this struggle”

Shagufta Kausar was falsely accused of blasphemy. For almost eight years she was separated from her family, her husband was beaten and tortured, and they were pressured to convert to Islam. Now free, she tells in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need how she found strength in her faith.

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6th August 2014: The hundred thousand faces of suffering Iraqi Christians

Ten years after Iraqi Christians fled Islamic State forces assaulting their homes, 70,000 Christians have now returned to their ancestral homes in the Nineveh Plains, thanks to the support of Aid To The Church In Need. Take a peek into our archives from 2014 to see the suffering of our Iraqi brothers and sisters, and understand how monumental and joyful this return is.

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€2 million for 1,600 Catholic summer camps worldwide

This year more than 1,600 summer camps for young people are taking place in 18 countries ─ from Egypt and Jordan to Iraq, Georgia and Kazakhstan – thanks to funding by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in the amount of almost 2 million euros. These camps hope to provide hope and joy, and teach a reliance on faith in the most difficult situations.

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Zimbabwe: Mass stipends for the priests of the diocese of Masvingo

For the Catholic Church, Africa is a continent of hope. While religious practice declines across Europe, fervent, lived Christian faith is increasing in African countries; it’s not only the lay faithful growing in number, but priests too. Today, one in every five Catholic priests come from Africa. Statistically, about half of these priests are financially supported in their mission by Aid To The Church In Need - often through Mass stipends.

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Iraq: Preserving Christianity in Iraq 10 years after Daesh invasion

More than 120,000 Christians sought refuge in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region after Daesh conquered Qaraqosh and other ancient Christian settlements in the Nineveh Plains on 6th August 2014. Around 9,000 Christian families have since returned to their homes – thanks to ACN and other international organisations – but tens of thousands of people remain in exile, living in extreme poverty.

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Clodagh Gallagher
Attacks on Christians in Israel increasing

The ancient Christian community in the Holy Land has suffered a “disturbing rise” in attacks including spitting, physical harassment, damage to property and cemeteries, and disruption of services. The findings are part of a report by the Jerusalem-based Rossing Centre, called Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem, which examined the increase in hostilities towards churches and their members in 2023.

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Bishop Medhin: "The people in Tigray have experienced hell"

24/07/2024, Author: Sina Hartert

ACN has spoken with Bishop Tesfaselassie Medhin about the terrible human rights violations that occurred in Tigray, Ethiopia from 2020 to 2022 - in particular the sexual violence against women and girls that occurred. Together, ACN and Bishop Medhin are working on projects to help heal the trauma of thousands of people.

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Clodagh Gallagher
Haiti: "We must overcome our fear and bestow hope"

30/07/2024, Author: Amélie Berthelin

Plagued for months by gangs that plunder, kidnap and terrorise the population, Haiti continues to fight every day for its survival. In the midst of this terrible situation, the Church in the country remains a beacon of hope, says Fr Baudelarie Martial, a Haitian priest from the Congregation of the Holy Cross.

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Celebration of faith and peace at children’s festival in Belarus

19/07/2024, Author: ACN Press team

The Catholic Church in Belarus is highly involved in pastoral work with children and young people. Every week, hundreds of children attend catechesis, and every year numerous children receive their first Holy Communion. During the Soviet period, the practice of religion was severely restricted, but thanks to the deep faith passed on by grandparents, the Faith still has deep roots.

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