All twenty ACN offices will participate in our annual Week Of Witness campaign, aimed at highlighting the suffering of persecuted Christians. On the 20th November, 24 of Ireland’s 26 cathedrals will be illuminated in red, as well as the national Marian and Eucharistic Shrine in Knock.

Each year, ACN Ireland raises awareness of their plight via the annual Week of Witness, which this year runs from Sunday November 17 to Sunday November 24. A central part of the week-long solidarity campaign is ‘Red Wednesday’ on November 20th, when many cathedrals and parish churches have their exterior illuminated in red, the traditional colour of martyrdom.

Pope Francis expresses great concern at growing attacks on religious freedom, after receiving ACN report . The Holy Father thanked ACN for its report which points to a decrease in religious freedom, and said he is praying for all those who are persecuted for their faith.

Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Ireland has described as “remarkable” the interest that young people expressed in faith and especially prayer at the recent ploughing championships.