ACN News
ACN News
Providing the latest news and raising awareness surrounding the suffering and persecuted Church from around the world
The lastest stories
UNITED KINGDOM: ‘Our 10 mile walk was nothing compared to what Christian children suffer’
With the epic treks made by millions of displaced Christians in mind, three charity workers...
UK
INTERNATIONAL: Vatican finds 1,600+ Christians killed for their Faith since millennium
A Vatican commission comprising historians, theologians and other experts...
International
MOZAMBIQUE: Religious Sisters thank ACN for 4×4 to help ‘face challenges’ in north Mozambique
Religious Sisters in Mozambique have thanked a Catholic charity for a new four-wheeled drive which helps them reach those in need.
Mozambique
June 2025
NIGERIA: We will rise again
19th June 2025
The priest in Nigeria who narrowly escaped with his life following one of the country’s worst massacres of Christians has spoken of his determination to stay and help the community rise again out of the ashes of persecution.
NIGERIA: Up to 200 dead in worst killing spree
16th June 2025
Militants massacred up to 200 Christians in Nigeria’s Benue State on 13th June, targeting displaced families, setting fire to their buildings as they lay asleep inside and macheting any who tried to flee.
UK: Leading MP’s poems aid the Church in need
13th June 2025
The UK’S leading MP has launched a book of poetry drawing on Mass readings – pledging to give half the proceeds to ACN.
PAKISTAN: New report highlights sexual attacks on Christian women
10th June 2025
An investigation carried out by a priest in Pakistan has shone a light on the plight of Christian women and girls subjected to rape and other sexual violence.
NIGERIA: Bishop calls for prayers for priest kidnapped by jihadists
6th June 2025
The auxiliary bishop of Maiduguri, Nigeria, has issued an urgent call for prayers after one of his priests was kidnapped by jihadist terrorists.
LEBANON: Sisters supporting families reeling from war
4th June 2025
More than six months after a ceasefire brought an end to the latest war in Lebanon, Christian communities in the south of the country continue to face deep economic hardship and emotional trauma.
CHILE: Parish thanks charity for restoring torched church
2nd June 2025
Parishioners at a historic church in Chile – that suffered extensive damage from an arson attack – have thanked a Catholic charity for helping them rebuild.
May 2025
NIGERIA: 36 killed by extremists in weekend of terror
27th May 2025
Dozens have died in a fresh wave of offensives on settlements in Nigeria’s Middle Belt by militant members of the Fulani herder community.
HOLY LAND: Struggling to survive
23rd May 2025
The only Catholic parish in Gaza City has been forced to radically cut back on the aid it provides because of the three-month aid blockade, which was only lifted yesterday.
VATICAN: New kid’s Bible for jubilee pilgrims
23rd May 2025
Pilgrims gathering in Rome for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly at the end of May will receive a special children’s Bible.
PERU: Charity highlights Pope Leo XIV’s pastoral legacy in Peru
19th May 2025
ACN has paid tribute to the new Pope’s decades-long ministry in Peru, describing him as a leader of “great pastoral sensitivity” and “missionary spirit”.
VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV fosters renewal in Eastern Churches during historic Jubilee audience
16th May 2025
Pope Leo XIV has sparked a renewed sense of mission and unity among Eastern Catholic leaders during a historic audience last Wednesday (14th May) at the Vatican.
PERU: Pope Leo XIV’s former altar server recalls fond memories
16th May 2025
A personal account of the new Pope’s pastoral humility and personal warmth has come from one of his former altar servers who now works with ACN in Peru.
PERU: Catholic charity reveals history of partnership with Leo XIV
14th May 2025
ACN has highlighted its long-standing – and fruitful – collaboration with the new pontiff.
VATICAN: Habemus papam!
8th May 2025
ACN expresses joy as Cardinal Robert Prevost is elected as Pope Leo XIV.
VATICAN: ACN pilgrims arrive as cardinals meet to choose new pope
7th May 2025
Supporters of Aid to the Church in Need arrive in Rome to start their jubilee pilgrimage
MOZAMBIQUE: ‘Christians are suffering greatly’ amid spike in attacks
7th May 2025
Christians are under fire as a fresh wave of jihadist violence sweeps northern Mozambique.
PAKISTAN: Cardinal appeals for prayers ahead of conclave
2nd May 2025
A video message from Cardinal Joseph Coutts on the importance of prayer at this time.
April 2025
MADAGASCAR: Cardinal calls for authentic faith amid national crisis
25th April 2025
The head of the Catholic Church in Madagascar pleads for a deeper, more authentic faith to help address the growing poverty, corruption and insecurity in the country.
HOLY LAND: ‘Our people are thirsty to know and live their faith’
24th April 2025
An ACN supported spiritual formation programme is helping Christians in the Holy Land to better understand and express their faith.
VATICAN: Catholic charity mourns ‘messenger of dialogue, encounter and mercy’
22nd April 2025
The head of ACN shares her words on the late Pope Francis.
HAITI: ‘Everyone is at risk’
14th April 2025
Haiti’s growing security crisis is taking a deadly toll on the Church and civilians alike, according to a missionary Sister.
CAR: Peace efforts bearing fruit
11th April 2025
A Bishop in the Central African Republic (CAR) has said relations have improved between Christians and Muslims.
BURKINA FASO: Catechist prays 700 Hail Marys in one night during kidnapping ordeal
10th April 2025
A catechist in Burkina Faso gives account of his four months in captivity with his pregnant wife in the hands of militant extremists.
HOLY LAND: Christians in Gaza consider themselves ‘lucky’
Hundreds of Christians sheltering at Gaza’s only Catholic church – and receiving essential support.
8th April 2025
HAITI: Two religious Sisters murdered as gangs storm city
Two religious Sisters were among those brutally killed when an armed gang ran riot near Haitian capital...
3rd April 2025
UK/HOLY LAND: Bishop makes plea for peace to UK Parliamentarians
A Christian leader from the Holy Land has appealed to UK parliamentarians, calling for a “courageous spirit…
2nd April 2025
March 2025
UK/Nigeria: Nigerian Bishop tells UK parliamentarians Church facing ‘Islamist extermination’
26th March 2025
A bishop in Nigeria’s Middle Belt has denounced the mass killing of Christians by Islamist extremists and…
PAKISTAN: Young Christian brutally attacked in Pakistan
24th March 2025
A 22-year-old Christian man was brutally attacked by his supervisor at the Subhan Paper Mills factory in…
NIGERIA: More priests kidnapped
24th March 2025
Two priests were kidnapped in the south of Nigeria last weekend. Fr John Ubaechu parish priest of…
HOLY LAND: Christian counselling centre helping to ease the anguish
21st March 2025
A Catholic psychotherapy initiative in the West Bank has been instrumental in addressing the mental health crisis…
MOZAMBIQUE: Charity gives hope to thousands of suffering families
18th March 2025
A religious Sister in northern Mozambique has described how aid from an international Catholic charity is helping…
NIGERIA: 21-year-old seminarian murdered
17th March 2025
Christians in Nigeria are in shock after a 21-year-old seminarian was brutally killed by kidnappers....
PAKISTAN: 10 years since Akash Bashir’s martyrdom
14th March 2025
The 15th March 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of a 20-year-old volunteer security guard’s martyrdom which saved the…
NIGERIA: Let our children go back to school
13th March 2025
A plea for government in northern Nigeria to re-think the sudden and unprecedented closure of schools during…
NIGERIA: Bishop, ‘His blood cries out for justice’
11th March 2025
The death of another priest in northern Nigeria has prompted a Christian leader to demand authorities take…
SYRIA: ‘A very black and painful day’
10th March 2025
Hundreds of civilians, including Christians, were “indiscriminately” massacred last Friday (7th March) in north-west Syria, aggravating the…
LEBANON: Sisters giving hope to suffering girls
7th March 2025
Girls and young women in Lebanon have received crucial support from religious Sisters to help them break…
NIGERIA: Priest kidnapped and murdered
5th March 2025
A Catholic priest was kidnapped and murdered in the Diocese of Kafanchan, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Father…
HOLY LAND: ‘The ceasefire has made the situation worse’ in West Bank
3rd March 2025
Christians in the West Bank have experienced increased difficulties since the ceasefire came into effect six weeks…
February 2025
UKRAINE: Military chaplain bringing God’s love to the frontline
26th Feb 2025
A military chaplain serving in war-torn Ukraine has given a moving account of his spiritual support for…
DRC: Jihadists leave headless bodies in Church
21st Feb 2025
A local source in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed that jihadists left…
UKRAINE: Charity helping the Church ease suffering caused by war
20th Feb 2025
An international Catholic charity has helped the Church in Ukraine provide emergency aid, pastoral support, trauma healing…
CAR: ‘Dialogue with Muslims can rebuild hope, peace’
18th Feb 2025
The Central African Republic has been rent apart by sectarian attacks during a major civil conflict –…
INTERNATIONAL: Catholic radio stations keeping the Faith alive in war zones
13th Feb 2025
With support from an international Catholic charity, hundreds of radio stations are helping to bring God’s love…
BURKINA FASO: Two catechists killed in road attack
11th Feb 2025
Armed men brutally murdered two catechists in Burkina Faso while they were travelling home. The attack by…
DRC: Thousands killed and refugee camps attacked
10th Feb 2025
Fighting in the eastern Congo is ongoing, and armed rebels have seized a major city, killing more…
KENYA: Sisters rescuing abused girls from the street
5th Feb 2025
Religious Sisters have helped give hope and an education to young girls living on the streets of…
January 2025
SOUTH SUDAN: Biblical literacy
31st Jan 2025
A charity’s record-breaking Bible for young people is at the centre of a project to teach children…
MYANMAR: Charity calls for global day of prayer for peace
30th Jan 2025
An international Catholic charity is calling for 24 hours of prayer to end the violent conflict that…
DRC: Bishop calls for respect for human life as violence grows
29th Jan 2025
Armed rebels are fighting to take control of the eastern Congo’s largest city, prompting a Church leader…
SYRIA: Christians strive for equal rights
27th Jan 2025
Church leaders in Syria are working closely with the new leadership to ensure that religious freedom will…
LEBANON: Christians needing help amid continued suffering
24th Jan 2025
Lebanon is still suffering from the effects of the war with growing poverty, lack of food and…
NIGERIA: Dozens of Christians killed last month
23rd Jan 2025
Islamist extremists attacked Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt last December, with the worst massacre claiming 47…
MALI: Catholic education in danger
21st Jan 2025
The future of Mali’s Catholic schools is in danger – threatening the important role they play in…
BURKINA FASO: Church feeding displaced and destitute Christians
15th Jan 2025
A Catholic charity has made it possible for a diocese in Burkina Faso to provide six months’…
INTERNATIONAL: 122 priests and religious seized or killed in 2024
14th Jan 2025
A total of 38 Catholic priests, seminarians and religious were abducted, 13 killed and 71 unlawfully arrested…
CAMEROON: Only ‘education and hope’ can defeat ongoing terrorism – bishop
10th Jan 2025
As attacks by Islamist militants continue in Cameroon, the bishop of the worst-affected diocese has stressed the…
NIGERIA: Congregation asks for prayers as two Sisters kidnapped
9th Jan 2025
Two religious Sisters were abducted in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria. The kidnapped religious,…
NIGERIA: Memorial Mass for massacred Christians
7th Jan 2025
Just over a year after extremists murdered more than 300 people in attacks targeting Christian villages…
PAKISTAN: Rural Christian Community shaken after new death
6th Jan 2025
Pakistan’s Christian community is in shock over the death of a Christian who was shot following six…
BURKINA FASO: Rise in vocations despite terror threat
3rd Jan 2025
Vocations at one of Burkina Faso’s main seminaries increased by more than 10 percent in the past…
