ACN's Break the Silence Podcast
ACN's Break the Silence
A podcast series giving a voice for the suffered and their advocates
Break the Silence
Aid to the Church in Need (UK)’s Break the Silence podcast series aims to give a voice to individuals who have suffered for their Christian faith and those advocating for them. The topics range from stories of courage and hope in the face of religious freedom violations, to historical overviews of Christian persecution and present-day parliamentary advocacy aiming to bring about positive change.
The Legacy of St Carlo Acutis and ACN Help in Cambodia
Break the Silence episode 30
Missionary priest Fr Will Conquer wrote one of the first-ever books about St Carlo Acutis before his beatification. Amy Balog of ACN (UK) speaks to Fr Will about St Carlo’s life and legacy, as well as ACN’s support for the Church in Cambodia.
The Church in Ukraine
Break the Silence episode 29
Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London sits down with ACN (UK)'s John Pontifex to discuss the past, present and future of the Church in Ukraine. They also highlight the support provided by ACN over the decades.
An Update on Manipur, India
Break the Silence episode 28
In conversation with ACN (UK)'s John Pontifex, Archbishop Linus Neli gives an update on the situation in Manipur, India two years after extreme violence erupted, causing much suffering for the Christian community and others in the region.
The Martyrs of the New Millennium
Break the Silence episode 27
Dr Robert Royal has been writing about modern-day Catholic martyrs for decades. In this conversation with Amy Balog of ACN (UK), Dr Royal shares his reflections on the deeply inspiring faith and perseverance of today’s persecuted Christian communities.
Serving the persecuted Church
Break the Silence episode 26
Regina Lynch, ACN (International) Executive President, has visited persecuted Christian communities in 60 countries over her 45 years at ACN. She reflects on ACN's mission of supporting the suffering Church and giving a voice to the voiceless.
The Maronite Church in Lebanon
Break the Silence episode 25
The Church in Lebanon is thriving, despite the ongoing crisis. Amy Balog of ACN UK chats to Marielle about her recent visit to Lebanon and the situation for Christians in the country.
Displaced Christians in Nigeria
Break the Silence episode 24
Fr Remi spends much of his time visiting Christian communities displaced as a result of violent persecution in Makurdi Diocese, Nigeria. ACN is helping the diocese provide emergency aid, pastoral support and quality education to families in need.
Violence in Manipur, India
Break the Silence episode 23
Hundreds of churches have been burnt down and thousands of families displaced by anti-Christian violence in Manipur, India. Archbishop Linus Neli gives a harrowing account of the suffering endured by many Christians in the region, highlighting how the Faith thrives in the face of adversity.
The persecuted Church in Nigeria
Break the Silence episode 22
Benue State is one of Nigeria’s most conflict-ridden regions, and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi is on a mission to tell the world about what is happening. Despite regular attacks on Christian communities, vocations are booming, and the bishop also has messages of hope to share.
Faith, hope and Christian persecution
Break the Silence episode 21
Tammy Peterson reflects on faith, suffering and prayer as we discuss various stories about persecuted Christians from around the world. She also talks candidly about her journey to the Catholic Church and what the Rosary means to her.
Seminarians in Nigeria
Break the Silence episode 20
Fr Francis Ikhianosime is one of many priests whose studies have been funded by ACN. He describes what it's like to be a seminarian in Nigeria and discusses the various challenges facing the Church in the country, such as the increase in Islamist extremism.
Akash Bashir's martyrdom: 10th anniversary
Break the Silence episode 19
Akash Bashir sacrificed himself when he blocked a suicide bomber from entering a church in Lahore, Pakistan on 15th March 2015, saving up to a thousand lives. John Pontifex, reflects on the 10th anniversary of Akash’s martyrdom.
Standing up for your Faith
Break the Silence episode 18
In the 1980s, Gavin Ashenden helped to smuggle Bibles and theology books to Czechoslovakia and the USSR. He shares many fascinating personal stories and reflects on the ongoing persecution of Christians around the world.
The Church in northern Nigeria
Break the Silence episode 17
Bishop Habila Daboh of Zaria Diocese gives a first-hand account of the persecution that seminarians, priests and other Christians face. He also explains how ACN's help is giving hope to the Church in Nigeria.
Christian persecution in Pakistan
Break the Silence episode 16
Fr Bonnie Mendes has been a priest in Faisalabad Diocese for over 60 years, witnessing the impact of anti-Christian persecution first-hand.
Surviving 33 days in jihadist captivity
Break the Silence episode 15
Fr Stephen Ojapah MSP describes the horrors he endured over 33 days of jihadist captivity in Nigeria and recounts his journey to working with trauma survivors.
The future for young Christians in Iraq
Break the Silence episode 14
Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil describes his vision for the future of the Church in Iraq and how the Catholic University in Erbil will help ensure a continued Christian presence in the region.
Christian persecution on the rise
Break the Silence episode 13
ACN’s Dr John Newton and John Pontifex discuss the key findings and case studies in the 2024 ‘Persecuted and Forgotten?’ report, demonstrating that anti-Christian persecution has been worsening globally.
Standing with persecuted Christians
Break the Silence episode 12
Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark talks to ACN's John Pontifex about the importance of the charity's work and what Christians in the West can learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters.
Serving the Church in Liberia for 50 years
Break the Silence episode 11
Fr Garry Jenkins has served the suffering Church in Liberia as a missionary priest for half a century. He tells ACN's John Pontifex about his memories of the civil war and other moving experiences in the “forgotten” country.
The suffering Church in South Sudan
Break the Silence Episode 10
Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor of Yei Diocese, South Sudan sits down with Dr John Newton, ACN (UK) Communications & Research Manager to discuss the present and future of the Church in the war-torn country.
Visiting IDP camps in Nigeria
Break the Silence episode 9
ACN (UK) National Director Dr Caroline Hull and ACN Head of Nigeria Projects Kinga Schierstadt visited IDP camps and met Christians forced out of their homes by extremists in some of Nigeria’s most dangerous regions. They share some moving and inspiring stories about the suffering and persecuted Church.
Faith, politics and religious freedom
Break the Silence episode 8
Sir Stephen Timms, Labour MP for East Ham and Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions, sits down with ACN (UK) Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer Daniel Beurthe to discuss Christian persecution, religious freedom advocacy and the role of faith in public life.
The challenges facing the Church in India
Break the Silence episode 7
Dr John Newton, ACN (UK) Communications & Research Manager recently returned from a trip to rural India where he witnessed both the joys and difficulties experienced by the local Church. He sits down with John Pontifex, ACN (UK) Head of Press & Public Affairs to discuss the challenges facing Christians in India and what the charity is doing to help.
Surviving a massacre at a church in Nigeria
Break the Silence episode 6
Margaret Attah is a survivor of the 2022 Pentecost Sunday church massacre in Owo, Nigeria, and the recipient of ACN (UK)'s first 'Courage to be Christian' award. On the second anniversary of the attack, Margaret discussed her experience of surviving the atrocity, the ongoing lack of justice and what faith means to her and her community.
10 years since the fall of Mosul
Break the Silence episode 5
A decade after Daesh (ISIS) invaded Mosul, Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda discusses his memories of the tragic events, highlighting the importance of keeping "the flame of the Christian faith shining” in Iraq’s historic Christian heartland.
The challenges facing the Church in Nigeria
Break the Silence episode 4
Fr Mark Odion, MSP Regional Superior in the UK and ACN's John Pontifex discuss the challenges facing the Church in Nigeria and what ACN is doing to help.
Parliamentary advocacy for persecuted Christians
Break the Silence episode 3
Lord Alton of Liverpool, a House of Lords crossbencher, talks about his remarkable career advocating for freedom of religion and belief in the political arena.
Growing up as a Christian girl in Pakistan
Break the Silence Episode 2
Ribqa Nevash, an advocate for Christians in Pakistan, sits down with Amy Balog, Press Officer at ACN (UK), to discuss the situation of Christian women and girls in the South Asian country.
Visiting the suffering Church
Break the Silence Episode 1
ACN (UK) National Director Caroline Hull and Head of Press & Public Affairs John Pontifex recently visited Liberia. They give a moving account of what life is like for Christians in one of the poorest countries in the world and what ACN is doing to help.
