Aid to the Church in Need

Pope Francis in Iraq a sign of hope

Davide Barbieri (Aid to the Church in Need) talks to Wendy about recent Papal trip to Iraq and how ACN is helping Christians there to rebuild their Churches, schools and homes.

Week of Witness for Persecuted Christians – Archbishop Eamon Martin

Archbishop Eamon Martin reflects on how Red Wednesday and the Week of Witness is helping to raise awareness of the Persecuted Church.

ACN Persecuted and Forgotten Report 2019

Michael Kinsella introduces this major global report on the scale of Christian persecution which is produced biannually by Aid to the Church in Need.

Honouring the Martyrs of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

This short film records how the magnificent new statue of St Oliver Plunkett in Armagh Cathedral  honours all those persecuted for their faith.

ACN Week of Witness 2019 (Promo)

A short promo for Aid to the Church in Need's Week of Witness (25 Nov - 1 Dec) in support of all who are persecuted for their faith.

ACN Week of Witness 2019

Michael Kinsella invites people to stand in solidarity with the persecuted and suffering Church during the Week of Witness (25 Nov - 1 Dec).

Praying for Suffering Christians on Good Friday 2019

Parishioners were invited to wear red clothing at the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday in Navan in solidarity with persecuted Christians.

The mission of Aid to the Church in Need

As well as re-building Churches and providing emergency relief for persecuted Christians,  ACN supports over 5,000 pastoral projects annually in 145 countries.

Aid to the Church in Need rejoices at freedom for Asia Bibi

Philipp Ozores,  ACN Secretary General, rejoices at the recent acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian who was accused of blasphemy and had been on death row.

Cathedral Bombing in the Philippines

Michael Kinsella gives his reaction to the Philippines bombing and to the latest steps to free Asia Bibi from jail.

Seeking religious tolerance in the Philippines

A special report from Aid to the Church in Need Philippines in the wake of the recent bombing in Jolo Cathedral which killed 23 people.

The message of Christmas in Northern Iraq

Archbishop Eamon Martin reflects on his recent visit to Northern Iraq where many Christians have been displaced in recent years.

Christmas thank you from Syria to Aid to the Church in Need

A family send their thanks to all ACN supporters for helping them to rebuild their home in a historic Christian neighbourhood in Homs, Syria

A Beacon of Light amongst the Ruins

Michael Kinsella explains how Aid to the Church in Need supports Christians who live their faith in the context of persecution and suffering.

ACN Religious Freedom Report 2018 – EU launch

Mairead McGuinness MEP, speaking at the launch of the ACN Religious Freedom Report 2018 at the European Parliament. 

The Tool of Forgiveness – Stories from Siberia (Ep 8)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for 26 years, shares the story of how his carpenter came to be an active parishioner. 

Living with Suffering – Stories from Siberia (Ep 7)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for 26 years, shares how he learned that his call was not to 'fix' but to live with the suffering.

From Fear to Joy – Stories from Siberia (Ep 6)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for 26 years, shares how he overcame his fear to answer the call 'to go pray in the camps'.

Honouring the martyrs of Algeria (1994 – 1996)

As the Vatican (26 Jan 2018) formally honours martyrs of Algeria, watch back our interview with Sr Yvonne Gera on her firsthand memories of the Monks of Tibhirine.

Luda : Lessons in Love – Stories from Siberia (Ep 5)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for 26 years, shares Luda's unforgettable lesson of loving those who persecute you.

To Forgive is Life – Stories from Siberia (Ep 4)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for twenty-six years, shares how Gulag survivors explained to him that forgiveness kept them alive.

St Joseph’s Mens Group – Stories from Siberia (Ep 3)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for twenty-six years, on how to heal what Pope Benedict described as the 'father wound' in our society.

Every child is a gift from God – Stories from Siberia (Ep 2)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for twenty-six years, on supporting single mothers with compassion and practical charity.

You can be a Catholic anywhere – Stories from Siberia (Ep 1)

Fr Michael Shields, who has ministered in Siberia for over twenty years, reflects on how we belong to the whole Church no matter where we are.

Red Wednesday 2017 – Armagh Cathedral

Address by Archbishop Eamon Martin at prayer service in Armagh Cathedral to mark Red Wednesday offering support to persecuted Christians around the world.

Red Wednesday – 22nd Nov 2017

Stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world on Red Wednesday (22nd Nov) by wearing RED and lighting churches RED.

Supporting Christians in Aleppo – Sr Annie

Sr Annie Demerjian describes her ministry to the greatly depleted Christian community who have remained in the war-torn Syrian city of Aleppo.

Persecuted and Forgotten 2015 -2017

John Newton introduces this global report on Christians oppressed for their Faith and speaks about the Red Wednesday initiative on 22nd Nov 2017. 

Aid to the Church in Need – Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria

Bishop Oliver Doeme discusses how his diocese has coped with attacks by Boko Haram in recent years and how it has tested his faith.

Fr Frans Van der Lugt SJ: Man of Peace and Bridgebuilder

In honour of third anniversary of Fr Frans who lived and worked in Syria for fifty years and was killed in Homs on 7th April 2014.

Religious Freedom – protecting the role of conscience in society

Dr John Newton discusses the Ashers bakery case in the context of the Religious Freedom in the World report 2016 produced by Aid to the Church in Need.

Religious Freedom in the World 2014 – 2016

Full address by Dr John Newton at the recent launch in Newry of this major international study by Aid to the Church in Need.

Religious Freedom in the World report 2014 – 2016

Interview with Bishop John McAreavey and Dr John Newton (ACN UK) at recent launch in Newry of this major report by Aid to the Church in Need

Final Mass at World Youth Day 2016

Wendy Grace reports for Aid to the Church in Need on the final Mass at World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow celebrated by Pope Francis.

Prayer Vigil at World Youth Day 2016

Wendy Grace reports for Aid to the Church in Need on the Prayer Vigil at World Youth Day 2016 attended by over 1 million pilgrims.

Way of the Cross at World Youth Day 2016

Wendy Grace reports on the powerful Way of the Cross service at WYD 2016 which featured various church groups including Aid to the Church in Need.

Let’s Be One

Learn about the inspirational 'Let's Be One' campaign organised by Aid to the Church in Need for World Youth Day 2016.

World Youth Day 2016 – Welcome Ceremony

Wendy Grace reports for Aid to the Church in Need on the Welcome ceremony for Pope Francis at WYD 2016 in Krakow. More to follow...

The Genocide of Christians in the Middle East

Full address by John Pontifex, Aid to the Church in Need (UK), on how Christians are being killed and driven out of the Middle East.

The suffering of Christians in Syria

John Pontifex from Aid to the Church in Need (UK) reports on recent trip to Syria where he heard first-hand of the plight of the Christian community.

The Prodigal perfomed by Le Chéile

Full 40 minute performance of an original music piece based on the parable of The Prodigal Son performed by the group - le Cheile.

Suffering in Syria – Fr Ziad Hilal SJ

Fr Ziad Hilal SJ who was living with Fr Frans van der Lugt S.J up to the time of his murder in Homs in 2014 discusses the on-going suffering of the Syrian people.

Persecuted and Forgotten? 2013 – 2015

Aid to the Church in Need has just released this global report which tells the story of the persecution of Christians around the world during the last two years.

Honouring the Martyrs of El Salvador (1980 – 1991)

Fr Ciarán O'Nualláin OFM shares the powerful testimonies of parish catechists killed during the civil war in El Salvador along with his own experiences.

Remembering the Martyrs of Algeria (1994-1996)

Sr Yvonne Gera FMM recalls the monks of Tibhirine whose deaths were featured in the widely acclaimed 2010 film 'Des hommes et des Deux' (Of Gods and Men).

Preaching forgiveness in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Bishop Oliver Doeme reflects on the theme of forgiveness in the context of attacks by Islamic extremists Boko Haram.

Matt Talbot – his life and legacy

A documentary on Venerable Matt Talbot, who died 90 years ago on 7 June 1925, recorded at the Matt Talbot Shrine in inner city Dublin.

How do you find joy in the midst of suffering?

In this episode of 'A Question of Faith', Fr Michael Shields shares his incredible experience as a missionary priest in Magadan in Siberia.

Remembering the Martyrs of El Salvador

Therese Osborne recalls her co-workers who, like Blessed Oscar Romero, were martyred for the faith in El Salvador in 1980.

Blessed Oscar Romero – his life and legacy (1)

In this first part of a two part 'A Question of Faith' special, our panel reflect on the life and death of Blessed Oscar Romero

Dead Theologians Society – Introduction

Eddie Cotter Jr, the founder of DTS in America, gives an overview of this Catholic youth apostolate which draws on the lives of saints to inspire the youth of today.

How can we help persecuted Christians?

This episode of 'A Question of Faith' features a very special interview with Myriam, a 10 year Christian now living in a refugee camp in Iraq.

Walk and Pray for the Persecuted

In solidarity with displaced Christians and other minorities, people are invited to walk to and from Church next weekend (21 Sept) and remember them in prayer.

Aid to the Church in Need – an introduction

Declan Quinn introduces the Aid to the Church in Need charity, which supports persecuted and poverty-stricken Christians around the world.

Let the Devil Sleep: Rwanda 20 Years After Genocide

Let the Devil Sleep is the story of four individual's unlikely journey of confession, forgiveness and reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda.

IEC2012 – Christian witness from the Gulag

Fr Michael Shields is a native born Alaskan priest ordained 32 years ago for the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska and now in the Diocese of St Joseph, Far East Siberia, Russia.