ACN - Aid to the Church in Need

23/06/2026

In the darkest times, the light of Christ is never extinguished. This is true even for Christians suffering danger, displacement and hunger in Lebanon and Syria.

Christ’s light shines through the courage of priests who refuse to leave. Through the compassion of religious sisters who care for the sick. Through the faith of families who continue to pray and care for strangers in their homes, even when everything else has been lost.

But that light must be sustained. This mission belongs to the whole Church.

This is our Holy Mission.

With your generous support, you could help children of poor Christian families with no income attend school; assist religious sisters to provide emergency food, water and medical aid, and aid courageous priests to bring the sacraments and pastoral care to those in need.

Because when everything else is closing, the Church doors remain open.

Donate today: www.aidtochurch.org/our-holy-mission

Please keep our priests, religious brothers and sisters and the people they serve in your prayers.

📸 Ismael Martinez Sanchez/ACN

19/06/2026

For countless Christian families in southern Lebanon caught in the crossfire between Hezbollah and Israel, many doors are closing – doors to safety, doors to work, doors to a future.

And yet, one door remains open. The Church.

While so much around them is collapsing, the Church has become their last refuge. Churches, monasteries and convents have opened their doors. They are comforted, fed and reminded that they are not alone, but God is present in their suffering.

But the need is overwhelming.

This is where our Holy Mission becomes real.

With Churches already stretched to the limit, completely exhausted and overwhelmed, your help can give them new strength to endure.

When families feel all hope is lost and every door is closing around them, the Church is often their last refuge.

Your gift today will keep that door open.

Please consider making an offering at www.aidtochurch.org/our-holy-mission

19/06/2026

Just over two years since a terrorist attack lead to the total destruction of a remote Catholic Nigerian village, and with thanks to the help of ACN, reconstruction of over 20 houses and common infrastructure have been completed.

Recently, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna, Nigeria, celebrated Mass with the people of Adama Dutse, whose faces were beaming with pride.

"The was so delighted and happy that we had done this for them. They are not only grateful but indebted to those who made it possible for them to have a permanent shelter,” Archbishop Ndagoso told ACN.

Read more about how your contribution makes a difference: https://aidtochurch.org/news/our-news/faith-and-persistence-help-rebuild-remote-nigerian-village

18/06/2026

Today we announced that our National Director, Bernard Toutounji, will be resigning from his role after eight and a half years leading Aid to the Church in Need Australia and New Zealand.

Under his leadership, annual fundraising and benefactor numbers doubled, operations formally expanded into New Zealand, and with the support of our generous givers, more than $50 million was raised in support of suffering and persecuted Christians.

Bernard shared his gratitude for the opportunity to have served ACN and the persecuted Church.

“It has been a profound joy to lead ACN. I have had the privilege of acting as a bridge between thousands of benefactors and the suffering Christians they support through their prayers and financial gifts. I have been continually inspired by the faith and generosity of so many ordinary Catholics who make this mission possible.”

ACN's National President, Paul Woods, thanked Bernard for his outstanding contribution.

“Bernard has served ACN with dedication, professionalism and a genuine commitment to those we support. On behalf of ACN, I thank him for his service and wish him every success and blessing for the future.”

The Board has appointed ACN’s Director of Engagement, Lukas Rajnoch, as Acting National Director while they appoint our next National Director.

Thank you, Bernard for your incredible leadership and service. May God bless all your future endeavours.

The board of Aid to the Church in Need Australia and New Zealand has accepted the resignation of its national director, Bernard Toutounji, after almost nine years of service in support of the suffering Church around the world.

17/06/2026

As the conflict in southern Lebanon threatens decades of coexistance between Christians and Muslims, Fr Youssef Semaan refuses to give into despair.

Fr Semaan is the parish priest of Kfour, in the district of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, where Christians and Muslims have coexisted for decades.

Families in his community face a dramatic choice: "Stay and risk their lives, or abandon our land," says Fr Semaan.

"Every week is more dangerous than the last. The situation has become unbearable."

"We still have hope, but hope itself is not enough."

🙏 Help families in southern Lebanon: https://aidtochurch.org/our-holy-mission

🔗 Read more about Fr Semaan's ministry: https://aidtochurch.org/news/our-news/local-priest-remains-hopeful-amid-ongoing-conflict-in-southern-lebanon

12/06/2026

HAPPY BENEFACTORS' DAY!

Each year, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Aid to the Church in Need commemorates the Benefactors' Day – a special day on which we give thanks for you and for all that you do to make our mission possible.

Without your prayers, your financial support, and your witness to the importance of this work, we simply could not do what we do.

We would not be able to build churches, provide pastoral transport, support seminarians, priests and religious, or distribute catechetical materials to those who need them most.

Everything that comes from the hands of Aid to the Church in Need is, in reality, the simple and heartfelt gift of hundreds of thousands of benefactors around the world.

Thank you for standing with the suffering Church.

Thank you for making this mission possible.

May the good Lord bless and reward you.

12/06/2026

Pope Leo XIV has shared his prayers with the people of Mozambique following the murder of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, Bishop of Quelimane, Mozambique, on Saturday. Bishop Afonso was a friend and collaborator of ACN.

In a statement issued from the Vatican, Pope Leo prays that “the Lord may grant them consolation, that He may keep every man and woman in His love and restrain the hand of the violent.”

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) called the murder an "act of barbarism".

"No religious leader, regardless of their faith or denomination, should be a target of violence," their statement reads.

"Those who dedicate their lives to serving God and promoting reconciliation, solidarity, education, charity, and the common good deserve protection and respect, not persecution and death.”

We pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop Afonso and for the faithful in his diocese and all of Mozambique.

11/06/2026

ACN expresses solidarity with the Archbishop of Tyre, in southern Lebanon, amid growing concerns for the safety of civilians and the historic Christian quarter of the city.

Tyre occupies a unique place in the history of Christianity and in the spiritual heritage of Lebanon. Its churches, communities, and historic neighborhoods are living witnesses to centuries of faith, co-existence, and resilience.

Help the Church in Lebanon provide emergency support to those suffering: https://aidtochurch.org/our-holy-mission

Read the full statement:
https://aidtochurch.org/news/our-news/archbishop-urges-support-of-christians-in-southern-lebanon

02/06/2026

Aid to the Church in Need would like to acknowledge our Platinum Business Supporters for 2025-2026.

Thank you for supporting the mission of ACN to serve suffering and persecuted Christians worldwide.

May God bless your generosity and bring prosperity to your business!

See all our incredible ACN business supporters: www.aidtochurch.org/business-supporter

29/05/2026

These faithful Rwandan priests serve communities recovering from genocide trauma and poverty, while continuing to proclaim the Gospel with courage and joy.

A gift of $180 can help provide one priest with a six-day retreat for prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal so he can continue serving the faithful with renewed strength.

Help us reach our goal to support 54 priests this month!

🙏 Make an offering at www.aidtochurch.org/monthlyproject