The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church delivered a powerful message of hope during the Mass celebrated for the persecuted Church at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to raise awareness about Ukraine's plight.

Fr Idahosa Amadasu, from the Diocese of Benin, is one of hundreds of Catholic priests who has been kidnapped and held for ransom by armed bandits in Nigeria over the past few decades. For several days, he suffered fear, humiliation, hunger and cold, but he found strength in his faith in Jesus to endure a difficult situation from which he did not know if he would emerge alive. This Holy Week, Aid to the Church in Need wants to share his story of faith. (His account has been edited for clarity and length.)

In a message dated 18 March, the Catholic bishops of Haiti expressed profound concern about the violence that is sweeping the country. The letter, which was sent to international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and which is signed by all 10 of the country’s Catholic bishops, calls for an end to all violence and for national reconciliation, echoing a recent appeal by Pope Francis.

Archbishop Matthew Man’Oso Ndagoso visited the village of Adama Dutse, which was attacked in February, leaving widespread destruction and 11 dead.

24 February 2024 marked the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Like the whole population, the seminarians are exhausted by this war. But uplifted by hope, they want to be a sign of God's presence where they are.

For years, Syria and Lebanon have witnessed a steady haemorrhaging of their Christian populations. Through its engagement in multiple projects, ACN is actively campaigning against the exodus of Christians.

The ecumenical Christian broadcaster runs several channels, in three different languages, and reaches millions of people with its satellite transmissions.

Between coca plantations, illegal gold mining and a lack of vocations, Bishop Giovanni Cefai of the Prelature of the Santiago Apóstol of Huancané speaks about the difficulties of trying to evangelise in such a challenging atmosphere.

ACN is assisting the Archdiocese of Izmir to maintain the Christian presence in Turkey.

The Christian community in Gaza is facing the most difficult period since the beginning of the war.

On 23 February 2024, Pope Francis appointed Father Aurelio Gazzera, a long-time friend and partner of ACN, Coadjutor Bishop of the diocese of Bangassou, in the Central African Republic. The 61-year-old Italian Carmelite priest has already worked for 33 years as a missionary in the country, which is repeatedly plagued by violence and unrest.

On International Women’s Day, 8 March, ACN highlights brave wives, sisters, mothers and religious who are helping keep faith and hope alive in war-torn Ukraine.

An attack in the diocese of Dori, on Sunday 25 February, was just the latest in a string of terror strikes in Burkina Faso. Faced with persecution, the Church responds with charity and hope.

ACN International Executive President Regina Lynch: “Guaranteeing the right to practice the faith is crucial, as a component of the dignity of every human being.”

The Bishop of Pemba says the situation caused by the jihadist insurgency is at its worst point but fears that worse may still be to come.

The President of Pakistan’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Samson Shukardin, has welcomed a Supreme Court decision to reject a government report into the authorities’ response to the attacks in Jaranwala last August described by Church leaders as the “worst incident against Christians” in the nation’s history.

Christians residing in the West Bank and Jerusalem are being confronted with a dire situation as the war in Gaza and escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians continue to take their toll, according to recent information received by the international foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Ten years after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, ACN will dedicate its 2024 Lent campaign to standing by the suffering Church in the country and helping it bring God’s healing love.