» Because faith gives hope. « Activity Report 2018 ACN Activity Report 2018 Report Activity ACN Imprint First published in 2019 by ACN Aid to the Church in Need International gGmbH Bischof-Kindermann-Str. 23, 61462 Königstein/Ts., GERMANY Represented by Philipp Ozores, Secretary General

Copyright ACN Aid to the Church in Need International Dear friends and supporters,

Every day, numerous requests for help son to the previous year. ACN has always from all over the world arrive at our been committed to providing informa- international headquarters. Together, tion on religious persecution, e.g. in its they form a kind of almanac of need, but “Religious Freedom in the World Report”, above all of hope anchored in faith. which is published every two years.

Our aid is as multifaceted as the needs The gratitude expressed by our project of the Church itself: a seminary in partners goes out to you, dear benefac- Nigeria – a country where the church tors. Thanks to your generous assistance, is persecuted in many places – cannot we were once again able to support more pay for the education of its many young than 5,000 projects in 2018. We hope that seminarians alone. In Iraq, thousands of in the future, we will be able to say “yes” Christians have had to flee from Daesh when we are asked for help. We pray to terror. Thanks to ACN, they can return ensure this every day. home again. In the Amazon rainforest, a priest urgently needs a boat to visit the I extend heartfelt greetings to you with faithful in the jungle. Nuns across the my blessings, world need aid in order to help others. In Russia, Catholic and Orthodox Christians work hand in hand to meet the current challenges. ACN is helping them. The needs are enormous, but the power of faith is much greater. It is infinite. Faith in the infinite love of God is the greatest Mauro Cardinal Piacenza reason why ACN has been committed to President of the Papal alleviating pastoral needs around the Foundation Aid to the Church world for more than 70 years. in Need

2018 was a bloody year for the Church. The number of priests, religious and the laity killed almost doubled in compari-

Preface | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 1 2 | ACN Activity Report 2018 » I cordially bless you all. «

Dear friends, may the Lord make your prayers and your commitment to the mission of the Church always nurture more fruit throughout the world, especially where it is suffering from spiritual and material needs or is discrim- inated against and persecuted.

I cordially bless you all.

Pope Francis to the members and benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need at the general audience on 2 October 2013, in Rome

As a Pontifical Foundation, Aid to the Church in Need has the mandate to act on behalf of the Church.

ACN Activity Report 2018 | 3 About us Learn more about Aid to the Church in Need on the following pages: How we were formed and the history of our success; what we are com- mitted to; our funding priorities in 2018.

4 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | About us pp. 4–5 About us p p. 42–43 Our regional activities in 2018 pp. 6–9 Origins and mission pp. 44–53 Latin America pp. 10–15 Organisation, facts and figures pp. 54–65 Africa pp. 66–75 Middle East pp. 16–17 Our task areas pp. 76–83 Western/Eastern Europe pp. 18–19 Mass stipends pp. 84–95 Asia/Oceania pp. 20–21 Training of priests and religious p. 22 Existence help for religious pp. 96–97 Index p. 23 Faith formation of laity pp. 98–99 Our mission, our vision and our values p. 24 Construction and reconstruction of church facilities pp. 100–101 Donation cycle p. 25 Means of transport for pastoral care p. 102 Our history pp. 26–27 Emergency assistance in cases of war, displacement, p. 103 Our organisational structure violence and natural catastrophes pp. 28–29 Distribution of Bibles and religious books Cover back Aid to the Church in Need – contacts worldwide pp. 30–39 Advocacy, Public Relations pp. 40–41 Media support for the propagation of faith

About us | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 5 » Aid to the Church in Need helps Christians around the world who are persecuted by violence and oppressed by terror. « Thomas Heine-Geldern, Executive President

From its beginnings, the Church has al- so, only with great difficulty. In many of ways provided care for those in need. In these countries, monetary donations are addition to its pastoral mission, it is com- the only source of income for the Church. mitted to sponsoring social assistance organisations worldwide and supporting Unlike most charities working to alle- those in need in many crisis areas. viate social needs, Aid to the Church in Need concentrates on supporting local But many do not realise that the Church churches, thereby upholding the ideals itself often requires urgent help, mainly of Christian charity. in developing countries and among those affected by displacement, per- Founded in 1947 as a Catholic aid organ- secution or catastrophe. The numbers isation for war refugees and recognised speak volumes: in our world today, some as a Pontifical Foundation since 2011, 200 million people cannot freely exercise Aid to the Church in Need is dedicated their faith. The fundamental right of reli- to the service of Christians around the gious freedom is not guaranteed in more world, wherever they are persecuted or than 80 countries. oppressed or suffering material need. This is enabled entirely through the gen- Christians are currently persecuted, erosity of private donors, as our founda- discriminated against or oppressed tion receives no public funding. in more than 40 countries. Here the Church’s infrastructure and the human Together with hundreds of thousands dignity of the faithful cannot be main- of benefactors and project partners, we tained through their own resources, or if support Christians around the world under our guiding principle “informa- tion, prayer and action”. In addition, » I am so grateful for all that you are doing to we are committed to religious freedom help our suffering people. May our Lord bless and reconciliation across all faiths. Our long-standing experience and belief in you, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. « the power of charity encourage us to Sr Annie Demerjian, continue on this path and to inspire peo- project partner, Syria ple about our work around the globe.

6 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Origins and mission Church in Need – our name says it all

Over the 72 years since its foundation, And the list of areas in which we are Aid to the Church in Need has developed asked to help continues to grow: into an aid organisation with a broad range of tasks. Today, we can rightly Mass stipends (→ p. 19) claim that our name says it all. We now Training of priests support some 5,000 Catholic projects and religious (→ p. 20) each year in nearly 150 countries – many of these over the long term. In this way, Existence help we frequently remain in crisis areas for religious (→ p. 22) much longer than other aid organisa- Faith formation tions. of laity (→ p. 23)

Of course, this requires not only person- Construction and reconstruction nel and logistical resources, but also the of church facilities (→ p. 24) necessary financial means. Only through Means of transport the donations of over 330,000 benefac- for pastoral care (→ p. 25) tors in 23 countries are we able to fulfil our mission of providing and promoting Emergency assistance in cases of pastoral assistance. war, displacement, violence and natural catastrophes (→ p. 27)

Distribution of Bibles, religious books and media (→ p. 29)

Advocacy (→ p. 31)

Media support for the propagation of faith (→ p. 40)

Origins and mission | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 7 » Think of the young people who dedicate their lives to God, to serve

Father Werenfried van Straaten, Him and the least. « founder of Aid to the Church in Need

The roots of Aid to the Church in Need His relief association organised food and go back to the period following the clothing for millions of eastern German Second World War. Europe was in ruins; refugees and provided spiritual care millions of people were displaced or in during this time of crisis. Initially the flight, often without shelter and plagued task seemed nearly impossible – espe- by hunger – with refugees from eastern cially considering that those from whom Germany particularly affected. he sought donations were themselves victims of the German war occupation in Into this dark hour was born what was Belgium and the Netherlands. to become the life work of Father Weren- fried van Straaten. In 1947, he founded In his passionate appeals, Father Wer- the welfare organisation “Ostpriesterhil- enfried preached brotherly love and rec- fe”, from which the charity Iron Curtain onciliation, which ultimately triggered Church Relief, today’s Aid to the Church a wave of assistance. Since most people in Need, arose. had little money, they donated food, including bacon. Before long, Father Werenfried became known as the “Bacon Priest”.

8 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Origins and mission Charity as concretely lived faith

Under the leadership of Father Weren- fried, the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need was repeatedly success- ful in getting unique aid projects off the ground. For instance, priests with backpacks were sent on motorcycles and in VW Beetles to remote provinces, and chapel trucks were sent as mobile churches to displaced persons.

When the Cold War began in the 1950s, the charity launched an unprecedent- ed campaign to lend support to the persecuted Catholic Church in countries behind the Iron Curtain. In the 1960s, aid programmes were extended to Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need, annual donations total over 110 million » The camaraderie among the staff Euros. The foundation is now active and volunteers is simply wonderful, throughout the world. This success story proves once again how practical charity and this itself makes our job all the grows out of a lived faith. more worthwhile. « Mervyn Maciel, volunteer, UK

Origins and mission | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 9 » Charity with efficiency and transparency. « Regina Lynch, Director of Projects

There are numerous charities that look Following our inclusion under the Vati- after those in need. What distinguishes can’s umbrella, our General Secretariat Aid to the Church in Need from these or- in Germany and our 23 National Sec- ganisations? We are the only international tions have been successful in building a Catholic organisation focusing on the unique bridge between benefactors and pastoral and spiritual support of perse- those in need. cuted and suffering Christians.

10 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Organisation Each year, we screen more than 7,500 aid project requests from 149 countries.

Due to its global structure, Aid to the In addition, our income and expendi- Church in Need can quickly identify tures are audited annually by certified needs and respond promptly with aid accountants, as the trust of our donors is projects. This is enabled by an efficient the basis of our success. framework that keeps bureaucracy to a minimum while thoroughly verifying and approving projects for our project partners.

Our General Secretariat supports the fundraising efforts of the National Sec- tions and annually screens about 7,500 aid applications from around the world, which are examined and either approved or rejected by the decision-making bod- ies. Our head office maintains contact with project partners in 149 countries, ensuring the appropriate use of dona- tions.

Through our National Sections, we maintain close contact with our donors. The public relations work of our offices » I often thank the Lord for your aims to deliver a high degree of transpar- ency regarding the purpose of donations presence beside us. Without you, and how they are used locally, building it would be so hard to go on with a bridge between project partners and our ministry. « Sr Hanan Youssef, benefactors. project partner, Lebanon

Organisation | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 11 » Under the guiding theme ›Information – Prayer – Action‹, we were able to support more than 5,000 projects worldwide in 2018. «

In 2018, we received 7,607 applications for In 2018, we supported a total of aid from all over the world. Thanks to the 5,019 projects in 139 countries with generosity of our donors, we were able approximately €75.5 million. With a to finance activities amounting to €110.5 further €13.0 million, we advocated the million.* The majority of these funds – needs of disadvantaged and persecuted 80.1% of the donations – went towards Christians worldwide. mission-related expenses, i.e. concrete project work, information, media support Fluctuating legacy income fell by €11.7 and prayer activities. million compared with the previous year, so that we were able to finance fewer We keep the share of necessary expendi- projects in 2018. All the more reason for tures for administration and fundraising us to be pleased that the current level as low as possible at 8.5% and 11.4%, of income from donations has remained respectively, so that as many resources as stable. We are building our project possible reach local Christians. commitments for the future on this basis.

Detailed use of funds (2018) 8.5% Mission-related expenditures €9.4 million

Administration 11.4% €12.6 million Donor relations and fundraising 80.1% €88.5 million

€110.5 million

*In addition, ACN spent €3.4 million on self-financing activities, including the sale of religious articles and books (→ p. 30 ff.).

12 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Facts and figures Facts and figures* Offices in 23 countries More than 330,000 donors worldwide per year 111,108,825 euros in donations and other income Use of 2.8 million euros in surpluses from previous years Project partners in 139 countries 5,019 projects supported worldwide 80.1% of the funds used are allocated to mis- sion-related expenses

All financial figures are audited by the independent audit- ing firm KPMG.

Mission-related expenditures (2018)

Project work (→ p. 16ff.) 14.7% Information, proclamation of faith €13.0 million and advocacy for discriminated and 85.3% persecuted Christians (→ p. 30ff.) €75.5 million

€88.5 million

**Valid as of 2018

Facts and figures | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 13 » Reconstruction, faith formation and emergency assistance in war zones were our project focal points in 2018. «

The projects we support are primarily At just under one-eighth, a considerable of a pastoral nature. In 2018, about one- portion of our funding was also used for third of the outlays were used for the emergency aid, including for numerous construction of seminary buildings and victims in crisis areas in the Middle East. the construction and reconstruction of churches and church facilities. An important constant is also our funding of Mass stipends: in 2018, we More than one-fifth of our project budget awarded €12.4 million in Mass stipends was used for training priests and sisters, to priests around the world. as well as for the further education of priests and faith formation of the laity.

Aid granted by type of help (2018)

€75.5 million Construction and reconstruction (→ p. 24) 4.3% Mass stipends (→ p. 19) 4.6% 6.8% Emergency assistance (→ p. 27) 31.9%

Training of priests and religious (→ p. 20) 11.2%

Faith formation of laity (→ p. 23)

12.4% Means of transport for pastoral care (→ p. 25) 16.4% Distribution of Bibles, religious books and media (→ p. 29) 12.4%

Subsistence help for religious (→ p. 22)

14 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Facts and figures » Our relief measures start with close dialogue with the local churches. «

In 2018, regional focal points for our In Asia, on the other hand, our priority aid projects were placed in the Middle is in regions such as Pakistan and the East and Africa. In all our project work, Philippines, where radical Islamism is dialogue with the local Church is also on the rise. particularly important to us because the local bishops and religious know We are also active in India, where an best where the need is greatest and increasingly radical Hinduism persecutes which relief measures must be taken. and oppresses the Christian minority We consider it our task to support the with violence in many places. Church, particularly in those places where Christians suffer from war, oppression, China, Vietnam and Laos, which have suf- persecution and violence. fered under communist power structures for decades, also remain on our list. Unfortunately, a hotspot in 2018 was once again the Middle East, where the faithful are daily exposed to the arbitrariness and €75.5 million violence of the Daesh and other Islamist groups in many places. Therefore, aid 2.1% Aid granted by region (2018) projects for Syria and Iraq will continue to be high on our agenda. 13.9% Africa (→ p. 54 ff.) 27.4% Christians in many countries in Africa also Middle East (→ p. 66 ff.) suffer from the persecution and violence Asia/Oceania (→ p. 84 ff.) of radical Islamism. At the same time, 15.7% Africa is the continent with the strongest Latin America (→ p. 44 ff.) growth in believers. Our funding for Africa Western/Eastern takes these developments into account, Europe (→ p. 76 ff.) as more than a quarter of our overall 16.0% 24.9% project budget went to the local churches Other of African countries in 2018.

Facts and figures | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 15 Our task areas Regardless of whether we are providing subsistence aid for priests and religious, Mass stipends, training of seminarians, emergency relief aid during war and natural catastrophes or publicity work for the propagation of the faith, Aid to the Church in Need’s task areas are as diverse as they are urgent. We lend assistance and fund activities where Christians are persecuted and the Church suffers hardships.

16 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Our task areas p. 19 Mass stipends

pp. 20–21 Training of priests and religious

p. 22 Subsistence aid for religious

p. 23 Faith formation of laity

p. 24 Construction and reconstruction of church facilities

p. 25 Means of transport for pastoral care

pp. 26–27 Emergency assistance in cases of war, displacement, violence and natural catastrophes

pp. 28–29 Distribution of Bibles and religious books

pp. 30–39 Advocacy, Public relations

pp. 40–41 CRTN – Media support for the propagation of faith

Our task areas | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 17 » Putting the plight of the people before God is part of

Father Martin Barta, International our mission. « Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Foundation Helping persecuted and needy Christians is of the utmost priority to Aid to the Church in Need. Whether through Mass stipends, the funding of priestly formation, existential help for religious members or the formation of faith among the laity – we sponsor thousands of brothers and sisters every year so that they, in turn, can support the faithful.

Despite his paraplegia, Father Mass with Bishop Vieira in Leite from Brazil describes Samaï, Benin. himself as a happy priest. ACN supports him with Mass stipends.

18 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Mass stipends Mass stipends

In many regions today, the faithful are so poor that they cannot » For some priests, Mass stipends are support their priests. Even the bishops the only source of income. « often lack the financial means to provide their priests with a regular wage. In By focusing Mass prayers on deceased these areas, Mass stipends are often or sick relatives, on people who are ex- their only means of material support. periencing life crises or on certain issues Mass stipends are monetary donations our donors may be facing, they take part connected with the request to celebrate in the Eucharistic celebration in a very Holy Mass for the deceased and the sick special way. With this kind of donation, or other concerns of the benefactors. many of our benefactors recognise the profound spiritual purpose of uniting In 2018, a total of 1,421,001 Holy Masses their charity with Church prayers. On were celebrated in the intentions of our average, a Holy Mass is held every 22 sec- benefactors. In this way, we were able onds for the intentions of ACN benefac- to support a total of 40,569 priests – on tors somewhere in the world. average, about every tenth priest world- wide. Most of the priests not only use Mass sti- pends for their own subsistence, but are The distribution of the Mass stipends also able to cover some of the costs of With Mass stipends, we support reflects the conditions of poverty on the their pastoral activities with them. In this the livelihoods of priests continents. In the reporting year, 38% of way, Mass stipends are intended to se- worldwide, like here in the Moita the Mass stipends went to Africa, 26% to cure the immediate livelihood of priests Bwawani Mission, Tanzania. Asia and the Near and Middle East, 15% and their parishes. As a basic principle, to Latin America and 21% to Central and 100% of the Mass stipends are forwarded Eastern Europe. to the intended recipients.

Mass stipends | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 19 Training of priests and religious

The theological training and quali- The continuing education of God’s serv- fication of seminarians has always ants is also an important concern to us. been an important focus of our aid. In the reporting year, we sponsored the After all, future priests will ultimately be continuing education of 4,370 priests who spiritual pillars and safeguard sacramen- themselves will train seminarians and thus tal life. Therefore, our educational assis- maintain the qualitative level of priestly tance mainly flows into countries where formation in their home countries over the the suitable and continuous training of long term. future priests is endangered or is not adequately ensured due to poverty, war In addition, we were able to offer financial or persecution. support to courses and retreats, through » Scholarships are the which a total of 4,397 priests could gather seed which we hope In 2018, we supported a total of 11,817 strength and grow in wisdom towards a seminarians. Thanks to the generosity daily renewal of their vocation. will yield ripe fruit of our benefactors, we have been able to for the Church. « fund every tenth seminarian worldwide. It is always a great pleasure when bishops report to us, full of pride and gratitude, that scholarship holders have successfully com- pleted their studies. In 2018, we continued this commitment.

In this way, we were able to award 406 scholarships to priests who, for example, are earning a doctorate or completing an additional degree course to become lectur- ers in priestly formation or in other fields that require a higher academic degree or additional study. The scholarship holders received their training at universities or Joint training of sem- inarians from Albania institutions in Italy, Belgium, France, Ger- and Kosovo. many, Austria, Spain, Poland and Canada.

20 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Training of priests and religious Theology students at St. Joseph’s Seminary in the Diocese of Multan, Pakistan.

In terms of continental distribution, 30% of our scholarship holders came from Asia, » Awarding a scholarship is 42% from Africa, 20% from Latin America special, because in contrast and 8% from Eastern Europe. We receive many strong applications each year, and to all other types of projects, we are continually faced with challenges the project partner, the in selecting and deciding who will receive scholarships. student, is one hundred percent responsible for On the one hand, we would like to do jus- tice to the special requirements and needs whether the project bears of the diocese, the order or the congrega- fruit one hundredfold, tion that applies for a scholarship from us for their candidate. Often it is important fiftyfold or not at all. « Peter Rettig, Head of section († 2017) to close gaps in the teaching staff at the seminary or to train a new novice mistress for a growing community of nuns.

On the other hand, there is also the question of the personal, intellectual or spiritual maturity of priests or sisters who are to be released from their function to undergo further theological or philosoph- ical training. In the end, the scholarship holders will be living away from their normal environment for a long time in a country whose language they have Fr. Anthony Hasdak often only recently learned. In addition, received a five-se- there are frequent issues such as health mester scholarship to the University of problems, homesickness or obstacles to Santo Tomas in Ma- obtaining a visa. nila, Philippines.

Training of priests and religious | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 21 Existence help for religious

Particularly in areas with a great shortage of priests, religious sisters literally take care of all in the name of God: children and adults, orphans, the sick and the dying, failures and seekers, as well as the traumatised. These sisters often work under the most difficult conditions. Through their constant prayers and daily devotions, cloistered contemplative sisters provide great help to the suffering Church aswell.

In 2018 alone, we supported 11,046 religious sisters from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America in their valuable work.

» We recognise a successful aid project when people are once again free to live their faith. « Regina Lynch, Director of Projects

22 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Existence help for religious Faith formation of laity

There is a lack of priests in many of the world’s poorest countries. Here, the formation of the laity to serve as cate- chists is an essential element of preserving faith in daily life. On the completion of a basic cause in theology, women and men are empowered to share their faith and to prepare the faithful for the reception of the sacraments.

With our help, more than 14,169 laypersons were supported in their faith formation in 2018.

» It is our duty to support our brothers and sisters in faith. « Dolores Soroa Suárez de Tangil, benefactress, Spain

Faith formation of laity | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 23 » Faith and a good organisation together can move mountains. « Eric Dupont, Director of Administration Supporting the local Church in its pastoral care efforts for the faithful is the key task of Aid to the Church in Need. This includes supporting the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of church buildings so that the church can carry out its mission. We also finance vehicles for priests, sisters and catechists so that they can reach the faithful even in the most isolated areas. Wherever believers are victims of displacement, violence and persecution, we provide emergency relief to alleviate the worst suffering.

Construction and reconstruction of church facilities

Especially in crisis areas, churches and reconstruction of churches, mon- and ecclesiastical institutions are asteries, pastoral centres and mission often destroyed by violence. We support stations, thereby safeguarding and pro- reconstruction in these areas, as the moting the pastoral work of the Catholic Church is the centre of the life of faith Church worldwide. From our 70 years of and a sign of hope. experience, we know that in slums, even the smallest chapel can give people a Where the Church is growing, e.g. in Afri- spiritual home. ca, Asia and Latin America, help is often needed to build up a new infrastructure. 991 such buildings were constructed or Therefore, Aid to the Church in Need repaired with our help in 2018 alone. provides assistance for the construction

24 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Construction and reconstruction Means of transport for pastoral care

As early as the 1950s, Father Weren- fried van Straaten sent chapel trucks as mobile churches to displaced persons. Today, ensuring that assistance and pastoral care are available to areas in need continues to be an important concern of Aid to the Church in Need.

We receive applications to fund vehicular purchases from every continent. Applications include requests for the purchase of trucks, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, boats, or in par- ticularly difficult mountain regions, mules. In 2018 alone, 373 cars, 189 motorcycles, 342 bicycles and two boats were financed.

Means of transport for pastoral care | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 25 » For us, the greatest conceivable catastrophe would be not to act. « Philipp Ozores, Secretary General

26 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Emergency assistance Emergency assistance in cases of war, displace- ment, violence and natural catastrophes

Emergency assistance for refugees in many other parts of the world as well: is deeply rooted in the history of our whether in Mindanao in the Philippines or relief organisation. Already in the 1950s, in northern Nigeria, where Islamist terror- the founder of Aid to the Church in Need, ist groups are perpetrating acts of violence Father Werenfried van Straaten, carried out against the Christian minority, we stand pioneering work in supporting displaced by those who have not been able to save persons. anything but their bare lives.

The bitter truth is that there are more refugees worldwide than ever before. 68.5 million people are currently fleeing war and violence around the world; of these, 16 million alone are in the Middle East.

Our great financial commitment to refugees and displaced persons in the Middle East is not only a response to their pressing need, but also a contribution to stop the wave of Christian emigration and thus ensure the continuity of Christianity in the region (for more information, see the Middle East chap- ter starting on page 70).

But we support Christians who have been persecuted and expelled for their beliefs

Emergency assistance | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 27 » For some children the Bible is the only picture book that they can get hold of. « Fr. Martin Barta, International Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Foundation

28 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Distribution of Bibles, religious books and media Distribution of Bibles, religious books and media

“Go out into the whole world Catechism of the Catholic Church, which and proclaim the Gospel to all is now available in 47 languages. Since creation,” Jesus said. Aid to the Church 2016, our foundation has also been the in Need takes this assignment literally. publisher of DOCAT, a modern transla- For instance, since 1979, our organisa- tion of the social teachings and doctrine tion has been a publisher and global of the Catholic Church. You can find supplier of the Child’s Bible, which has more information about YOUCAT and been translated into 191 languages and DOCAT on pages 38 to 39. has already been distributed more than 51 million times. Often in poor countries, the Child’s Bible is the first book that children receive in their own language; frequently, it is the only picture book that the little ones can get hold of in their entire lives.

In 2018 alone, 1.1 million religious books were produced and distributed with the help of ACN.

In addition, Aid to the Church in Need promotes YOUCAT, the illustrated Youth

Distribution of Bibles, religious books and media | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 29 » We give persecuted

Christians a voice. «Thomas Heine-Geldern, Executive President

In accordance with the motto of our founder “Inform, pray and act”, our commu- nication work gives a voice to those who often no longer have one. We present the pressing issues of the Church locally and serve as advocates for persecuted Christians vis-à-vis other bodies, we create the Religious Freedom Report, and prepare public relations reports for print, social media and audiovisual products.

These materials are provided to the We have already been able to galvanise National Sections to forward to the local key people in positions of responsibility media, including radio and television with our plea for more humanity and stations. With information campaigns, charity. Much of our advocacy work is publications, events and conferences, made possible by maintaining contacts the 23 National Sections advocate the on visits of project partner delegations welfare of the Church around the world. and also by providing high-quality We also assist with the construction of information. As a result, over the past radio stations and oversee the training few years, we have gained a high level of media professionals in the service of of trust and a good reputation among evangelisation. politicians from the EU and other parts of the world. This helps us to launch pro- As the “advocate of Christians”, we raise jects and win over fellow campaigners. the voice for disadvantaged and perse- cuted Christians in many urgent cases.

30 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Advocacy Advocate for Christians in need.

With a donation volume of 110 million euros, Hungary 15 million euros, ambassadors for religious freedom were million euros, a good deal of Italy and the Netherlands 2 million euros informed, who in turn referred to ACN’s need can be alleviated, but more is each and Austria 1 million euros. These work at international meetings. required to create a real difference funds were primarily made available to in the world. One means of leverage alleviate the plight of Christians in Iraq The key objective is always to ensure is the information and motivation of and to improve their situation. synergistic effects and meet multipliers governmental and transnational agen- who can inform the world of opinion cies which can then support larger Perhaps nothing moves us more than the leaders in and beyond the media about projects. ACN acts as an advocate of personal experiences of those affected. the plight of Christians and thus mobilise brotherly love and Christians in need, That is why the ACN Public Affairs team them for dialogue and action. or as ACN Executive President Thomas took part in international congress- Heine puts it: “We offer persecuted es, symposia and conferences, where Christians a voice.” the situation of Christians was mostly presented with concrete witness reports, ACN does not accept government fund- in line with the motto “Do good and talk ing, but is able to bring together govern- about it”: For example, at the annual ments that show a genuine interest in meeting of the European People’s Party religious freedom and Christian aid with (EPP), which represents the largest polit- reliable local partners. With the help ical group in the European Parliament; or of this concept, we were able to raise at the meeting of the Centesimus Annus considerable sums for project partners Pro Pontifice Foundation, an interna- through our mediation efforts: The USA tional organisation of Catholic econo- provided 197 million dollars, Germany 35 mists and bankers. In addition, special

Advocacy | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 31 William Avenya, Nigerian Bishop of Gboko, in Brussels.

Mourad Wahba, Assistant Secretary- General of the United Nations, in February October conversation with ACN delegates on 26.02.2018 in New York. ACN visited the Danish Special Envoy for ACN met with Bishop Aguirre of the Cen- International Religious Freedom. Travel tral African Republic for a discussion in then continued to Lithuania to organ- Madrid, followed by a meeting in Lisbon ise a hearing at Parliament. This was for the annual meeting of the Intercultur- followed by a Nineveh Reconstruction al Dialogue Group of EPP members in the Project meeting with Mourad Whaba, European Parliament. This was followed who represented the Arab states at the by our participation in meetings of the United Nations Development Programme U.S. Federal Government on the occasion (UNDP) in New York. of the 20th anniversary of the Interna- tional Religious Freedom Act. March An ACN delegation visited the UN Human November Rights Council in Geneva, where we ACN representatives were present in provided information on the situation of many locations to launch the “Religious Christians in the Central African Republic. Freedom in the World Report 2018”. These included numerous Red Wednes- May day events at symbolic cathedrals and Guests at an ACN event in France for persecuted Christians. At the invitation of the Religious Free- monuments, as well as participation in dom Institute, we travelled to Washing- prayer vigils and processions at more ton to inform members of Congress on than 50 locations. The media response Capitol Hill about our work and to solicit was stronger than ever. aid for reconstruction efforts in Iraq. December June In Rome, we visited Pope Francis for the We took part in a meeting in Baghdad start of the Christmas campaign “Candles with the head of the agency US-AID and for Peace in Syria”. To draw politicians’ other aid organisations. We discussed the attention to the fact that children are also current progress of reconstruction and re- victims of the Syrian war, ACN, together patriation aid for Christians in Iraq and the with the Embassy of Poland to the Holy Presentation of the ACN Religious Freedom Report on 24.11.2018 at the Presidential planning of further concrete measures. See, held a conference with 30 EU ambas- Palace in Malta. sadors. July ACN travelled to The Hague to establish a special tribunal for Daesh war crimes. We also attended a conference in Washing- ton for a ministerial meeting on religious freedom.

August In Rome, ACN was one of the partici- pants in the meeting of the International Presentation of the ACN Religious Freedom Report on 04.12.2018 at the European Catholic Legislators Network, which Parliament in Brussels. brings together some 100 legislative bodies from 30 countries. 32 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Advocacy Faith needs freedom: the Religious Freedom Report

In November 2018, ACN’s Religious Freedom the Central African Republic. The media in the World Report was published for the response to the ACN report was enormous: 14th time. ACN Italy published the first Re- More than 1,770 articles mentioned ACN ligious Freedom Report in 1999. As always, and these reached 1.6 billion readers. This the report notes whether religious freedom shows once again how strongly this issue is upheld in comparison to other world reli- currently moves people around the world – gions and how the situation has developed especially Christians, who are most affected over the past two years. 196 countries were by persecution and oppression. examined.

The 2018 report is 880 pages long and available online in six languages at www. religious-freedom-report.org. It is one of four reports on the state of global religious freedom. The other three are published by the American Pew Research Center, the U.S. State Department and the United States Commission on International Religious Free- dom (USCIRF).

The ACN report is the only non-govern- mental report in Europe that takes Catholic social doctrine into account. The preface was written by Cardinal Nzapalainga of

Religious Freedom Report | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 33 Public relations

Whether media relations, global meetings, events, conferences or cam- paigns – ACN’s actions and public relations in 2018 were highly diverse. Here are some of the activities organised by the ACN headquarters or some of its 23 national offices.

Candles for Peace At the end of November, more than 50,000 children from the war-torn cities of Aleppo, Da- mascus, Homs, Tartus, Hassaké and Marmarita in Syria took part in processions, plays and songs for peace. Previously, at the invitation of ACN International, they had painted scenes and prayers on lanterns and lamp- shades in schools and parishes to express their longing for peace and reconciliation. The paintings were then distributed to donors through ACN’s national offices, asking them to join in the chil- dren’s prayers for peace on the first Advent Sunday.

34 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Public relations Impressions from the ACN Advent campaign “Candles for Pea ce”.

Pope launches ACN campaign On the second Advent Sun- peace and the concerns of the day, during the Angelus on St. Pope were celebrated in Syria, Peter’s Square, Pope Francis lit another 300 in Egypt, 250 on a candle depicting photos of the Arabian Peninsula and needy children in Syria. With 100 in Lebanon. At an inter- this action, he opened the ACN national conference in Rome, Advent campaign “Candles ambassadors and participants for Peace” to support Chris- were asked to light a virtual tians in the troubled country. candle on ACN’s website www. Afterwards, 400 masses for candlesforpeace.org.

Public relations | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 35 “Night of the Witnesses” Ten years ago, ACN’s French the critical situation of the Church, countries. Once again this year, the national office began to commem- which in many places in Mexico has “Night of the Witnesses” was held in orate the situation of oppressed been put under pressure by the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral and and persecuted Christians with drug mafia and mourns a total of 55 was repeated over the course of the prayers and eyewitness accounts murdered priests since 1990. The year in other French cities. Luxem- in a “Night of the Witnesses” (“La Coptic Catholic Bishop of Assiut in bourg and Italy also celebrated a Nuit des Témoins”). In 2018, these Egypt and a missionary from Algeria “Night of the Witnesses”. In 2019, ACN were once again deeply moving also enlightened others about the offices in Spain, the Netherlands, hours. For instance, the Bishop of difficult situation and the suffering the Philippines and South Korea will Cuernavaca in Mexico reported on of Christians in their respective organise similar commemorations.

36 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Public relations “Red Wednesday” As in previous years, symbolic in Venice, Sagrada Familia in National Shrine of the Immaculate sites were again illuminated in Barcelona, Sacré Coeur and the Conception in Washington, D.C., red in 2018 to commemorate Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in the victims of religious persecu- Cathedral in Paris, Westminster Toronto, Manila Cathedral and St. tion worldwide. This time, the Cathedral in London, the cathe- Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, along campaign also coincided with drals of Armagh, Galway, Wa- with many others. The monuments the presentation of the new terford and Cobh in Ireland, the and cathedrals were bathed in Religious Freedom Report. The Cristo Rei statue in Almada near deep red light, becoming a sign of ecclesiastical and secular sites in Lisbon, the Basilica of Our Lady solidarity for persecuted Chris- 2018 included the Grand Canal in Maastricht, the Basilica of the tians all over the world.

World Family Meeting in Dublin “The family is the way of the poor families from Syria, Africa, Latin Church,” wrote John Paul II, and America and Asia to take part in the it was under his papacy that the meeting. Upon their return, they will tradition of World Family Meet- act as ambassadors and multipli- ings began, which the Vatican ers for family pastoral care in their now hosts every three years. Pope countries. Thanks to ACN’s support, Francis, who likes to call the family YOUCAT for Kids, the “little brother a “masterpiece of God”, continued of the Youth Catechism YOUCAT”, the tradition in Dublin in 2018. was distributed to all participating ACN was again involved, helping families at the meeting in Dublin.

Public relations | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 37 YOUCAT Foundation 2018

Since 2014, ACN has been the sole In 2018, the new “YOUCAT for shareholder of the YOUCAT Founda- Kids – Catechism for Children and tion, which publishes YOUCAT, the their Parents” was the focus of the Youth Catechism of the Roman Catho- project. Pope Francis personally lic Church, and DOCAT, a translation presented the work to the interna- of the social teachings of the Catholic tional public at the World Family Church by and for young people. The Meeting in Dublin. Along with books, publications are translated into a total a range of digital tools have recently of 40 languages. been developed that enable young

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38 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | YOUCAT and DOCAT people to learn more about the faith. These include YOUCAT and DOCAT study guides and the free YOUCAT Daily app launched in December 2018, which sends » I entrust you with the YOUCAT for Kids. a topic from the Catechism Never grow tired of asking questions and or Catholic social teaching to Pope Francis smartphones in five languages talking about your faith. « every day.

YOUCAT and DOCAT | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 39 » In 2018, we produced 390 TV and radio broadcasts to spread Mark von Riedemann, Director of the faith. « Public Affairs and Religious Freedom Behind the Catholic Radio & Television Llora”, we were able to produce a consid- Network (CRTN) is a modern produc- erable number of short films for special tion studio specialising in reports and ACN fundraisers. documentaries on the Catholic Church in remote areas. The broadcasts primarily Especially in non-Christian areas, serve to support evangelisation efforts spreading the Gospel through radio and and promote solidarity with the suffer- television plays a very important role. ing Church. Additionally, they further The best example is in the Middle East, publicise the work of Aid to the Church in where there are more than 600 Mus- Need. Through our network, we are able lim television channels, but only two to provide productions to TV and radio Christian ones. Aid to the Church in Need stations around the world. In 2018, the oversees the establishment of Catholic studio produced 390 TV and radio pro- radio and television stations here and grammes in all language versions, which supports the required training of staff were then broadcast on 102 TV and 475 members, thereby ensuring that they are radio stations. In addition to documen- professionally qualified. tary films and interview broadcasts such as “Where God Weeps” and “Donde Dios

40 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Media support for the propagation of faith CRTN is a production and media service that is globally unique in the Church.

CRTN achieved record distribution ers and television stations the oppor- in 2018 with documentary films tunity to facilitate the presentation, alone: the broadcasts reached 102 televi- exchange and distribution of Catholic sion stations worldwide. These included programmes worldwide. seven TV stations in North America, ten in Europe, 55 in Latin America via In addition, we have compiled a web SIPCATV and 23 TV channels in Russia via catalogue containing 1,363 productions. Blagovest-Media. In 2018, 274 producers and 140 televi- sion stations used this service, which is Every day, broadcasts reach tens of unique in the Church. A CRTN newslet- The CRTN YouTube millions worldwide. In addition to ter, a CRTN Facebook page with 2,000 Channel has had just production and distribution, CRTN also followers and the CRTN YouTube channel 1,65 million views. supports a number of worldwide TV dis- round off our media service. tribution initiatives through consulting and programming services. What’s more, CRTN established the global Catholic television resource network crtn.org 19 years ago, which gives Catholic produc-

CRTN | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 41 p. 44 Latin America p. 54 Africa p p. 46–47 Venezuela p. 56 Benin pp. 48–49 Peru p. 57 Liberia & Mali pp. 50–51 Brazil p. 58 Nigeria p. 52 Nicaragua p. 59 Cameroon p. 53 Uruguay pp. 60–61 Central African Republic p. 62 South Sudan p. 63 Ethiopia p. 64 Tanzania p. 65 Mozambique

42 | ACN Activity Report 2018| Our regional activities in 2018 Our regional activities in 2018 ACN receives around 8,000 aid project applications annually from nearly 150 countries. In the following pages, we would like to provide you with an overview of our regional funding priorities in 2018. We made a special commitment to the Middle East and Africa, where the need of Christians is particularly great due to the violence of fundamentalist Islam and persistent poverty.

p. 66 Middle East p. 76 Western/ p. 84 Asia/Oceania pp. 68–71 Syria Eastern Europe pp. 72–75 Iraq p. 78 Refugees in Western Europe p. 86 Kazakhstan p. 79 Czech Republic p. 87 Bangladesh p. 80 Bosnia and Herzegovina pp. 88–89 India p. 81 Ukraine pp. 90–91 Pakistan pp. 82–83 Russia p. 92 Vietnam p. 93 Papua New Guinea pp. 94–95 Philippines

Our regional activities in 2018 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 43 44 | ACN Activity Report 2018 Latin America For decades, poverty, violence, corruption and drug-related crime have been some of the constants that have repeatedly plunged Latin Ameri- can countries into serious crises. For many of the more than 500 million Catholic Christians on the continent, the Church is often the only mainstay that still offers them hope. Nevertheless, the local Church has lamented the increasing decline in the number of believers for 40 years. Through our help, we hope to both alleviate the needs of the local churches and support them in initiating a change enabling more people to once again find a home in faith. In 2018, a total of 13.9% of our worldwide aid volume went to Latin America.

“There are problems that have no the lack of young priests is dramatic solution, only history.” This quota- and the rapidly growing flood of new tion of the Colombian philosopher sects also represents a difficult task Nicolas Gomez Davila goes directly to the heart of the problems of Latin A sister visiting the faithful in Umass, America. The recent political unrest Peru. in Venezuela is just one example among many.

Political despotism, corruption, sects, drug mafias, violence and un- employment in most Latin American

» 1,336 application for aid reached for the Church. It comes as no sur- prise that a total of 1,336 applications us in 2018 from Latin America. « reached us from Latin America in 2018 – about 10% more than last year. countries have now reached propor- Venezuela and Brazil are at the top tions that sometimes present the of this list as a result of political and Church with seemingly insurmounta- economic crises. As a mission country ble challenges. For it is often priests, with variable climate and geograph- missionaries and sisters who point ical conditions, Peru has remained a out the bad state of affairs. However, focal point of our help.

Latin America | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 45 Venezuela

Number of projects Venezuela is a land tions or power outages. Venezuela 206 110 of records, but also survives from day to day, and this Project Funded of contradictions. also applies to the Church. Our aid for applications projects On the one hand, Venezuela therefore consists first and the state has the foremost of survival assistance. Type of projects largest oil reserves 9 8 38 in the world at 50 billion tonnes; on the The political crisis in Venezuela has also Construction/ Means of Mass other hand, Venezuela has the highest led the country into an economic crisis reconstruction transport stipends crime and inflation rates in the world. of historic proportions. With the excep- The mismanagement of the socialist tion of a small elite, all social classes 1 1 20 regime under President Maduro has are affected. Until 2015, we received few Emergency Media Bibles & led the country to the brink of famine. applications for aid from Venezuela; the aid help books Elderly people, children and the sick are Church was largely able to help itself. But 12 10 11 dying due to a lack of simple medica- for three years now, the once self-suffi- Training of Existential Formation priests help of faith

Head of Section Marco Mencaglia

In 2018, we supported the livelihood and work of 13 sisters of the “Jesús Resucitado” Order.

46 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Latin America – Venezuela On Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross in Tucupita, Venezuela.

» It is precisely when faced with bitter need that faith gives people hope and optimism. « Mass in the diocese of La Guaira.

cient local Church has increasingly found itself in economic distress. Meanwhile, applications come from all dioceses, and the amount of promised aid totalled over Young prison inmate receives the YOUCAT. 1 million euros in 2018.

Half of the funds are simply spent on helping priests and religious to survive, and are needed more urgently than ever in the crisis. In the political turmoil which affects the country, the Church is often the only institution that still calls for peaceful debate, despite all the confrontations. More than 10,000 copies of the In the face of crises of faith and the YOUCAT for Venezuela. hopelessness that many people continue to feel as a result of the crisis, the Church ACN was able to bring more than faith circles. Only a few years needs to proclaim a message of love and 10,000 copies of the YOUCAT, ago, the Church would have hope all the more. Therefore, in addition the YOUCAT Prayer Book and published scriptures and books to material support, about one-third of the YOUCAT Confirmation Book for a religious initiative such our budget for Venezuela flows into cat- to the country through various as this itself. But even paper echesis and pastoral initiatives. Further channels. Sisters and catechists has become scarce in Vene- financial support is funnelled into aid for personally distribute the liter- zuela, and books are no longer the purchase of vehicles and the renova- ature in the parishes to those affordable because of rampant tion of church facilities. who participate in prayer and hyperinflation.

Latin America – Venezuela | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 47 Peru

Number of projects At around 76% of New vocations are the true treasure of 140 114 the population, the Church, including in Peru, for a new Catholics make up generation of priests promises pastoral the vast majority continuity and spiritual future. In Peru, Type of projects of religious com- ACN supports the formation of young 18 8 20 munities in Peru. priests in more than 20 seminaries. This 0 1 18 Nevertheless, Peru is one of the Latin not only includes the study of theology American countries most strongly sup- and philosophy; the seminarians also 30 9 10 ported by ACN. And for good reason: go to the villages, offer catechesis, visit Although there is now modest urban the sick and take care of the young and Head of Section prosperity in the Andean country, the lonely. Marco Mencaglia predominantly indigenous population in rural and mountain areas typically live in bitter poverty. The material deprivation has also affected the local Church. ACN is therefore primarily in- volved in the formation of priests and supporting sisters in Peru.

» New vocations are a true treasure for the Church in Peru. « A new baking machine for consecrated wafers for the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Albancay.

48 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Latin America – Peru Sisters visiting the elderly and the sick in Umass.

ACN supports the missionary Sometimes Holy Mass work in Canaria by funding is celebrated under new vehicles. the open sky.

“We learn to serve and try to satisfy peo- ple’s hunger for God,” emphasises Wilber Sucapuca Jaila from the Our Lady of Gua- dalupe seminary on the Chucuito Plateau. The total cost for a seminarian amounts to about 2,100 euros for a full year, including accommodation, meals, medicine and books. But even with stipends of 180 eu- ros per seminarian, seminaries are able to plug the holes in their annual budgets.

The training of catechists has also been improved with the help of ACN. For exam- ple, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, a monthly meeting of all catechists enables them to share their experiences in work- Material support for sisters shops, lectures and discussions. Many of Our aid for active and contem- derly. Under the motto “Care for them live in remote parishes in the jungle, plative sisters has been an im- the body in order to save souls” which are often difficult to reach. portant concern for us for many of their founder, Saint Teresa years. One example of this is the Jornet, sisters not only help with congregation “Hermanitas de los the washing and meals, but also Ancianos Desamparados” (Little provide care and assistance to Sisters of the Helpless Elderly), support people in their spiritual which maintains eleven houses needs. This is charity in the and a retreat centre in Peru. truest sense of the word, which Here, the sisters care mainly for we would very much like to con- the poor, the lonely and the el- tinue to aid in the future.

Latin America – Peru | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 49 Brazil

Number of projects Brazil is the fifth aid for sisters and financial assistance 305 236 largest country in for the purchase of vehicles. Much the world. Of its of the funds primarily went to the 210 million inhab- Amazon region, which is very difficult Type of projects itants, 64% are to access. 33 20 31 Catholics. But the 0 2 23 number of believers is dwindling. 20 In addition to social and political prob- years ago, Catholics still accounted for lems, the extreme geographical and cli- 72 36 19 75% of the population here. This devel- matic conditions also present the coun- opment is not least due to the misery try with great challenges time and again. Head of Section caused by corruption, unemployment, Almost half of Brazil’s land area is made Ulrich Kny economic crisis and environmental up of the 7 million km² Amazon Basin, destruction, which fuels mistrust and which extends far beyond the country’s makes many open to the salvation borders. This area is often marked by bit- promises of new sects. ACN responds ter poverty, a great shortage of priests, to diocesan applications with support poor pastoral care and a correspondingly for the formation of priests, existential strong presence of various new sects.

Sisters of the Order of Saint Joseph visiting a family in São Luís.

50 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Latin America – Brazil Pile houses on the banks of the Tefé River in the Brazilian Amazon Basin.

» Brazil remains full of problems – but also full of opportunities. «

Former homeless In this region, which is often referred people from Balca praying in Sao Paulo. to as the “Green Hell”, the number of applications further increased compared to last year. The hot and humid climate, along with malaria and other tropical diseases and completely inadequate medical care, make it difficult for Am- azon inhabitants to cope. In addition, there are frequent floods. Pastoral care is difficult. Many parishes on riverbanks and in the rainforest frequently have to forgo the Eucharist for months. ACN Brazil’s Church raises its voice supported the Amazon region of Brazil against grievances. with almost 700,000 euros in 2018 alone. Whether training aid for seminarians, The current political situation megaprojects for economic mass intentions for priests, subsistence has repeatedly led the local development in Amazonia, it is allowances for sisters or the purchase of Church into conflicts, for exam- not uncommon that people try vehicles and boats for mission pro- ple, due to the deforestation to silence it. The same applies grammes – our help primarily ensures of the rainforest or the con- when the Church opposes the that the Church’s presence is main- struction of huge hydroelectric sexual exploitation of women tained, even in remote and inaccessible power plants, which lead to and children and works to parishes. land displacement and migra- combat corruption and nepo- tion problems. In those places tism. Sometimes bishops and where the Church denounces religious members even receive problems such as the penetra- death threats and require tion of agribusiness and other armed protection.

Latin America – Brazil | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 51 Nicaragua

Number of projects After Haiti, “Being young and Catholic is danger- Nicaragua is the ous in Nicaragua,” was uttered last year 47 13 poorest country during the persecution of opposition in Latin America. members and regime critics in many of Type of projects Since 2018, the the country’s parishes. But the Church is 5 0 4 Nicaraguan people concerned with showing its presence and have been thrown back into turmoil supporting the people, even in times of 0 0 0 after the regime mandated President crisis. Or as Pope John Paul II once said: 1 0 3 Ortega’s pension cuts. In the protests “The charity of works ensures an unmis- that followed, more than 400 Nica- takable efficacy to the charity of words.” Head of Section raguans died as a result of military Marco Mencaglia violence. For months, the Church tried We continue to support the commitment to mediate in the violent conflict and of the Church in Nicaragua. For example, offered refuge to the persecuted and in infrastructure development to ensure » Being young and injured in community centres. ACN the formation of young candidates Catholic is dangerous does not intervene in political affairs, for the priesthood, after the Managua but supports pastoral activities such seminary was closed for security reasons in Nicaragua’s current as those in Nicaragua, which often pro- during the crisis. With our financial aid, crisis. « vide people with concrete help. it was also possible to build community centres for new parishes in the country- side. These are not only spiritual and social meeting places for the parishes, but also accommodate catechist training for young laypersons. To help the Church with its mission and pastoral care, ACN is also helping to fund vehicles and boats, which are essential in many parishes due to the extreme geographical and climatic conditions in the “land of a thousand volcanoes”.

Bishop Matagalpa blesses a child.

52 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Latin America – Nicaragua The Bishop of Granada distributing food for the poor.

School near the Schoenstatt Shrine in Nueva Helvecia.

Uruguay

The secular country is Due to the desolate financial situation of Number of projects a kind of foreign en- the local Church, many priests live at the tity in what is known subsistence level. Our Mass stipends are 39 27 as the “Catholic con- a great help to them. In addition to the Type of projects tinent”. Since 1916, active priests in most of the ten Uru- the strict separation guayan dioceses, ACN also supported 18 9 0 7 of church and state has been anchored very elderly priests in the ecclesiastical in the constitution. Of 3.5 million inhab- retirement home in Montevideo in 2018 0 3 2 itants, significantly less than half are with a subsistence grant of 14,800 euros. 1 0 5 Catholic, and there are no official religious The sum helps both the home and the holidays. State regulations for the main- priests, who can use it to pay for part of Head of Section tenance of church buildings have brought their medication, among other things. Ulrich Kny the dioceses to the brink of ruin. Without outside help, the Church cannot survive here. Therefore, it has been supported by » Despite the anticlerical environment, many ACN for many years. young people have a flourishing faith. «

But despite a secular environment that is often hostile to the Church, faith is also flourishing among young people. These include more and more women who have decided to enter convents. One example is the city of Florida in southern Uruguay. Twelve sisters currently live and pray in the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites, and other young women have asked to be admitted to the convent. But there are not enough rooms to accommodate further entrants. An annexe, co-financed by ACN with 70,000 euros, will now accommodate five new rooms.

Latin America – Uruguay | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 53 54 | ACN Activity Report 2018 Africa Political unrest, Islamic radicalisation and increasing terrorist and rebel movements represent growing dangers in many African countries – in- cluding for the Church. In 2018, Africa had the world’s highest number of murdered priests for the first time ever. The population also suffers from famine, the inactivity of corrupt governments, catastrophic droughts and the lack of medical care in many countries. In 2018, ACN supported 1,659 projects in Africa.

One in six Catholics, one in nine 4th FAAF Congress on priests and one in four seminarians Mauritius in November 2018. Founded by Pope in the world currently live in Africa. John Paul II, the organ- To ensure that the Church not only isation is committed to grows quantitatively on the conti- family education on the continent and is support- nent, but is also strengthened quali- ed by ACN. tatively, the deepening of faith is an important concern. The training and further education of priests and in- structors at seminaries plays a central role here, for which ACN will continue to campaign in Africa. nearly 30 bishops, numerous theo- logians, priests, sisters and doctors, as well as lay pastoral workers from » For the Church, Africa various parts of Africa. The aim of the remains a continent of hope Congress is to promote respectful and loving dialogue between spouses in spite of all its needs. « and to help them raise children and resolve conflicts. ACN supports the One of the most significant events for Church in these programmes, espe- the Church in Africa was the ACN- cially as traditional family values in backed 4th Congress of the “African Africa are often at odds with West- Federation for the Advancement of ern development aid models – one the Family” in November 2018 on need think only of the promotion of Mauritius. The event was attended by abortion.

Africa | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 55 Benin

Number of projects West African Benin culture. ACN primarily supports local has about 11 mil- churches in the formation of priests and 80 40 lion inhabitants. in pastoral care for couples and families. Project Funded While the north In addition, the Church infrastructure is applications projects of the country is also being financed, as “worthy” chapels Type of projects predominantly are of enormous importance and often Muslim, the south is mainly inhabited just as important for people as a hospital. 10 3 9 by followers of traditional African reli- Construction/ Means of Mass gions and Christians, who often suffer reconstruction transport stipends from bitter poverty. ACN is active 0 1 1 throughout Benin with aid projects to Emergency Media Bibles & strengthen the presence of the Church Support for sisters. aid help books and support the formation of faith. The work of sisters is also indispensable 10 2 4 Where the Church has too little presence, for the people of Benin, especially for Training Existential Formation Christians can easily come under the children. The sisters take loving care of of priests help of faith influence of other faiths. This is true in unwanted, sick and orphaned children, Head of Section Benin. In the south of the country, su- but also of handicapped or “bewitched” Rafael D’Aqui perstition is widespread – many practice children who are often abandoned or Voodoo. The deepening of the Christian killed by relatives. The presence of sisters faith has a special role to play here. The in the villages alone usually prevents chil- Sisters looking after children training of priests is therefore the top dren from being killed, because mothers in the “Orphélinat des Saints” priority for the local Church. In order to turn directly to them with their problems. orphanage in Natitingou. better reach the faithful, songs and illus- At the request of the bishops, ACN sup- trated books are needed which translate ports the sisters so that they can carry out the Gospel into the local language and activities in as many places as possible.

» For the faithful, a chapel is just as important as a hospital. «

56 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Africa – Benin Because of the difficult road conditions in the Liberian diocese of Monrovia, ACN supported the purchase of off-road vehicles for spiritual welfa- re and pastoral work in the St. Paul Parish of Banjor.

Liberia

Between 1989 and has continued to cause deep mistrust Number of projects 2003, the West at all levels of society. We therefore sup- 11 12 African republic port the Church in its pastoral mission experienced one of wherever we can. Our focus is on sup- Type of projects the bloodiest civil porting priests, who have to shoulder wars on the conti- most of the spiritual reconstruction in 1 1 3 nent. The country has still not recov- this war-torn country. In addition to 0 1 0 ered from it right up to the present day. the consequences of the war, the Ebola The consequences of the war are also crisis once again put Liberians to the 2 1 3 a great challenge for the Church. Our test between 2014 and 2016. In order aid to Liberia is mainly concentrated on to better heal the traumas caused by Head of Section supporting priests, who are often the war and epidemics, the bishops are Kinga von Poschinger only source of hope for many believers. therefore planning to offer additional spiritual retreats for priests in 2019 so More than two-thirds of Liberians still do that they are better able to support the not believe in lasting peace. The civil war faithful in their spiritual needs. » More than the infrastructure, believers’ souls are destroyed. « Mali

Mali is a West In essence, Mali has been divided by Isla- Number of projects African landlocked mist terror since 2013. This also applies 32 24 country with 18 to the Church itself. While the Church million inhabit- infrastructure in the north of the country Type of projects ants, of whom only has largely been destroyed, the situation about 2% profess is better in the south, despite violent 7 2 6 the Christian faith. Since 2012, there incidents – the Catholic community is 0 0 0 has been chaos in the country, because even growing here. In order to maintain radical Islamists and Tuareg fighters ecclesiastical structures, ACN supported 6 1 2 want to establish their own “theocra- the local Church in 2018 not only with cy” in the north. Since then, hundreds pastoral training, but also with vehicle Head of Section of thousands have been fleeing the assistance, Mass stipends, pastoral care Rafael D’Aqui violence caused by jihadists. ACN sup- and construction aid. In the diocese of ports the Church in Mali with numerous San, for instance, a retirement home for projects, such as the training of priests priests was equipped with a solar-pow- and religious priests and religious. ered water pump.

Africa – Liberia, Mali | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 57 Nigeria

Number of projects With 190 million As we learned from the local bishops, inhabitants, Christians are not only threatened in the 132 94 Nigeria is by far north by the Boko Haram terror, but now the most pop- even more brutally by heavily armed Mus- Type of projects ulous country lim Fulani shepherds in central Nigeria 16 2 17 in Africa. While who are increasingly taking action against the West African country is predom- Christians. Despite all the violence and 0 0 1 inantly populated by Christians in threats, Christians continue to stand firm 50 1 7 the south, the north is chiefly Mus- in their faith, and there are still numerous lim. The infamous Islamist terrorist priestly and religious vocations. But the Head of Section group Boko Haram, whose attacks Church in Nigeria is urgently in need of Kinga von Poschinger are mainly directed against Chris- help, not only to fulfil its pastoral mission, tians, is active here. ACN supports but also to comfort the traumatised the Nigerian Church in these difficult and those in mourning and to rebuild times with numerous aid projects. destroyed Church infrastructures.

» We haven’t lost hope, but we need help. «

ACN is particularly committed to supporting the local Church in training seminarians and helping needy priests with Mass stipends. We also help finance vehicles and are active in building and rebuilding church facilities.

Leah didn’t want to deny her faith.

In early 2018, 100 schoolgirls ists. But Leah was forced to were kidnapped by the Boko remain in captivity. For her to Haram terrorist militia in be released, the kidnappers Dapchi in northeastern Nigeria. demanded that the young Among them was 15-year- Christian convert to Islam. But old Leah. The Muslim girls Leah refused. Her fate remains were released by the terror- uncertain to this day.

58 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Africa – Nigeria The diocese of Maroua- Mokolo in the north of Cameroon. Despite the danger, many young men still want to become priests. ACN is helping them.

Number of projects 188 96

Type of projects 7 6 19

3 0 11

32 7 11

Head of Section Cameroon Rafael D’Aqui

For a long time, ment has now escalated into an armed Cameroon was conflict with fugitives and numerous regarded as rel- people killed. The Church has also be- atively stable in come the victim of suffering: In 2018, two the midst of crisis Catholic priests and a seminarian were states. However, killed in the affected areas. Priests are the Central African country with its increasingly attacked or kidnapped. 24 million inhabitants is increasingly being caught up in a maelstrom of po- Nevertheless, the local Church is pas- litical and social conflicts. The Catholic sionately committed to reconciliation Church is strongly represented here, between the conflicting parties and is with a share of 38% of the population. tirelessly trying to renew dialogue be- But it is dependent on assistance to tween them. But there is a lack of human meet the growing challenges. Cam- resources in many places. Through voca- eroon is one of the countries most tional promotion and a good formation of strongly supported by ACN in Africa. candidates for the priesthood, the Church is endeavouring to meet increasing A former German colony, Cameroon is demands. However, the local Church can currently marked by the conflict between hardly cope with the costs of training on Anglophone and Francophone popula- its own. ACN is therefore in close contact tion groups. What began in 2016 with with bishops and priests in order to im- protest marches against the marginalisa- prove the training situation through fur- tion of the English language and culture ther support measures and thus cushion by the French-speaking central govern- the financial burden on the local Church.

» The Church is trying to maintain dialogue between the conflicting parties. «

Africa – Cameroon | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 59 Central African Republic

Number of projects Since the end of and working tirelessly for the recon- 2012, the Central struction of the country. ACN mainly 48 37 African Republic supports the Church with emergency has been sinking aid and the formation of priests. Type of projects into a maelstrom 5 2 9 of violence as The fighting between SELEKA rebel mi- a result of the civil war. Thousands litias and the anti-Balaka group mainly 3 0 0 have already fallen victim to the war affects the civilian population. Thou- 10 3 5 and almost one million are internally sands have seen their belongings go up displaced or seek protection in neigh- in flames and many have witnessed their Head of Section bouring countries. But priests and relatives being murdered. Neither the Christine du Coudray sisters are resolutely holding the line, government nor the UN peacekeepers providing pastoral care to the people have been able to achieve lasting peace.

38 future Carmelite priests would like to give their country new hope. ACN has donated 22,800 euros for their training.

60 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Africa – Central African Republic Deadly attack during Holy Mass.

During an armed attack in the parish church of Our Lady of Fatima in Bangui on 1 May 2018, 20 worshippers were killed and 100 others injured during Holy Mass. Father Albert Toungoumale-Ba- ba (left) was among the victims. The 71-year-old priest was a friend of ACN and had asked us to pray tirelessly for peace in his country in a video message. We mourn his loss and are deeply con- cerned with the increasing violence in the Republic.

The Massacre of Alindao

On 15 November 2018, thou- people, including two priests. sands of refugees were attacked In addition, the cathedral was by armed Seleka rebels in the looted and burned down by the refugee camp on the grounds of rebels. ACN immediately provid- » Despite great danger, Alindao Cathedral in the south ed 30,000 euros in emergency of the Central African Republic. aid for the most urgent primary none of the priests has The rebels killed more than 80 care. left his mission. «

Nor has the Church been spared extreme acts of violence. Church institutions are repeatedly attacked and plundered. But the Catholic Church is on the front line to protect the population from the violent attacks. Thousands of displaced persons of various faiths have found refuge in monasteries and mission stations. Priests and religious often risk their own lives: In 2018 alone, five priests were murdered.

ACN supports the Central African Re- public with emergency relief and funds for the formation of priests, as future priests are indispensable to the peace and well-being of their country. In 2018, for example, we supported 48 seminar- ians and their teachers in Bangui with a budget of 60,000 euros.

Africa – Central African Republic | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 61 Two old women at the Bidibidi refugee camp.

Number of projects

46 27

Type of projects

3 2 7

1 0 0

8 3 3

Head of Section Christine du Coudray South Sudan

South Sudan is It was not until 2018 that a ceasefire currently the third was reached, along with an agree- poorest country in ment on the division of power in the the world, partly country. ACN is providing particular because a bloody support to South Sudanese priests, civil war has been who are important pillars of hope and raging here since 2011. Behind the war reconciliation for the suffering popu- is the brutal power struggle between lation. the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups, Candidates for priest- which has made about one-third of the Although new hope for peace has been hood at the seminary of St. John Paul II in 13 million South Sudanese homeless. emerging in South Sudan since 2018, the Tombura Yambio. situation remains precarious. This also applies to the Church, which often lacks the financial and human resources to as- sist the suffering population. As in many African countries, the training of priests is a great challenge in South Sudan.

This is precisely where ACN’s assistance comes in. We support the dioceses in the formation of candidates for the priest- hood and sponsor priests with Mass Summer Academy for stipends. We also support retreats and priests in South Sudan meeting days for priests so that they can nourish their minds and spirits and sum- In 2018, ACN enabled twelve was a wonderful experience for mon up new strength, protecting them priests teaching at southern Suda- us. Many were exhausted by the from overwork. nese seminaries to participate in a hard work and difficult circum- one-month summer course for in- stances at home. The impact the structors in Rome. Father George, course had on the instructors one of the participants, reported: and students could be felt imme- » A month in Rome has “The month we spent in Rome diately.” renewed our spirits. «

62 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Africa – South Sudan Ethiopia

Despite strong eco- their way to the Catholic faith, because Number of projects nomic growth, Ethi- they create identity and give the faithful 91 70 opia – located on the the feeling of belonging to the Church. Horn of Africa – is For this reason, ACN supports many Type of projects still marked by great construction projects. But priests who poverty. Of the 102 pass on the faith and provide answers are 22 3 7 million inhabitants, 58% are Orthodox also indispensable. This is why in 2018 we 0 1 0 Christians. However, the proportion of once again approved a number of funding Muslims is rising and currently stands applications in Ethiopia for the education 18 3 16 at 34%. Catholics make up only about and training of priests, religious and the 1% of the population. Nevertheless, the laity, as well as the organisation of pasto- Head of Section Catholic Church is very active. In order to ral programmes. Dr Andrzej Halemba ensure this momentum in the future, ACN supports the local Church, primarily in the formation of priests, youth ministry » Thanks to your help, and construction projects. the young people are The Catholic Church operates numerous now singing songs schools and kindergartens in Ethiopia, as well as social facilities that benefit mem- about the goodness of bers of all religions. Thus they contribute God. « substantially to understanding among local peoples. But the Church is also active in Pastoral work for young people should be remote and underdeveloped areas. Here, emphasised here above all. Among other for example, it looks after tribes such as things, it contributes to ensuring that Girl from the Dessanech the Oromo and the Gumuz, whom no one young people do not emigrate, but in- tribe in the village of Oromate, where people would otherwise care for. First evangelisa- stead work for the welfare of their home- have only recently become tion, instruction in the faith and pastoral land. In addition, ACN helps to finance acquainted with the Gospel. care are usually the top priorities here. and procure suitable vehicles, which are Churches and chapels are very important, indispensable for the maintenance of pas- especially for people who have just found toral care in predominantly vast areas.

Africa – Ethiopia | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 63 Tanzania The faithful in Kinyasi building a church that was More than half feel inferior. This is why ACN is com- co-financed by ACN. of the 57 million mitted to supporting the construction inhabitants of of churches and chapels in Tanzania, the East Afri- for communities with their own church can country offer the faithful a sense of identity and are Christians, self-confidence. Number of projects most of them Catholic. But Tanzania is characterised by an aggressive An additional problem for the Church is 321 107 expansionist policy on the part of widespread superstition. There is still fundamentalist Islamists, promoted a good deal of educational work to be Type of projects by the oil states. The coastal areas done here. Many of the locals believe 21 19 25 and the north of the mainland are in witchcraft. Disability is considered a already predominantly Muslim, and curse or a punishment for an evil deed 1 2 0 on the almost entirely Muslim island and albinos are persecuted, ostracised or 32 3 4 Zanzibar, there are often attacks killed outright in order to make “magic against Christians. ACN supports cures” from their body parts. In some ar- Head of Section the local Church in urgent building eas the illiteracy rate is 75%, and in many Toni W. Zender projects, in the formation of priests places there is a lack of basic medical and with material aid to strengthen knowledge to prevent or treat diseases. its presence in the country. These are problems that could hardly be solved by the Church without the » We want to escape The spread of Islamism is the biggest commitment and care of sisters. They challenge facing the Catholic Church tirelessly support the local population the maelstrom of in Tanzania. Numerous newly built with unceasing advice and support. This Islam! « mosques impress believers of all is one reason why ACN not only supports denominations. If Christians have no priests, but also many sisters with mate- church to show, they are despised and rial assistance.

64 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Africa – Tanzania The missionary parish of Netia-Natete in the diocese of Nacala was hit by a severe tropical storm in 2017. Two of the destroyed village chapels were rebuilt in 2018 with the help of ACN.

Mozambique

Located in south- around 100 people were killed in just Number of projects east Africa, Mo- one year. Mobility is severely restricted zambique ranks by police posts, to the great detriment 63 35 tenth among the of the Church. For example, catechists Type of projects world’s poorest travelling for advanced training are not countries. The always permitted to proceed, although 5 5 11 country still suffers from the conse- they often have an accompanying letter quences of the civil war that raged from the bishop. 0 0 2 between 1977 and 1992. But severe 6 3 3 natural catastrophes are also some- These problems are caused by the fact thing that people here have had to that a group called “Al Shabaab” has Head of Section cope with time and time again. About been active in the north of the country Rafael D’Aqui one-third of the nearly 29 million since 2017, claiming jihadist objectives. inhabitants profess the Catholic The extremists recruit young people with faith, and nearly 18% are Muslims. the prospect of jobs or scholarships and Above all, Christians are affected by misuse them for attacks. In addition, the increasing Islamist violence in school dropouts, early marriages, the the country. ACN helps the Church in disintegration of traditional values and Mozambique by providing training the uprooting of families as a result of and material aid and by supporting the civil war mean that young people construction projects. frequently no longer see a future for themselves.

» Jihadists misuse ACN helps the Church restore stability young people for their and confidence to the people, especially the young. For example, in the northern attacks. « diocese of Pemba, the Church of Our Lady of Namuno, built 100 years ago by As in many African countries, the influ- the first missionaries, is being renovated ence of Islamism is growing ever larger with our support. We provide further in Mozambique. In the northeastern project support through training and province of Cabo Delgado, for example, material aid for priests and sisters.

Africa – Mozambique | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 65 66 | ACN Activity Report 2018 Middle East Even though the war in Syria and Iraq has finally ended, the plight of the people there is far from over. The ruins, the cave-like dwellings in piles of rubble and the vacant expression in the eyes of countless traumatised peo- ple all bear witness to this. Humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts remain the order of the day. This also applies to the Church in need in the Middle East and its persecuted and displaced believers. ACN has provided more than 13 million euros in support for the Church in Syria and Iraq in 2018 alone.

For Christians in the Middle East, our A boy at the Palm aid is more than a sign of human soli- Sunday procession on 25.03.2018 in Qaraqosh, darity. It is a sign of a new future and Iraq. also of the global unity of Christianity. In the early years of the war, when refugees were struggling to survive, ACN provided emergency food, tents, blankets and medications that saved tens of thousands of Christians. The solidarity, support and compassion of the actions all gave them the courage to live on.

» Despite the trauma of war, many protection and security. But like their own four walls, the faithful Christians in the Middle East are also need their churches after this looking optimistically to the future brutal war as a place of common prayer and the sign of a message of again. « reconciliation. As many churches But millions of people, including have been damaged or destroyed many Christians, are still waiting in the war, reconstruction is one of in camps as displaced persons or our most urgent relief projects in refugees. Most of them would like to the Middle East. After all, with each return to their birthplace, because stone replaced, the social fabric in they long for a home that promises communities is also being rebuilt.

Middle East | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 67 Syria

Number of projects After eight years largely depends on the support of for- 233 185 of war, Syria eign aid organisations. ACN continued Project ap- Funded literally lies in to provide millions of euros to Syria plications projects ruins. There is in 2018, especially in regions where hardly one stone many Christians live. Type of projects still attached to 49 1 7 another in the entire country. Nor While more than 1.5 million Christians Construction/ Means of Mass are the souls of the people faring lived in Syria before the war, their num- reconstruction transport stipends any better. Hundreds of thousands ber has dwindled to around 500,000 in of deaths, millions of refugees and the aftermath. The modest prosperity 58 1 2 countless people who are often se- that many of them had attained be- Emergency Media Bibles & verely traumatised are the toll of the fore the war is gone. For most, life has aid help books incomprehensible violence inflicted now become about survival. Our aid is 7 19 41 by the war. The population now faces provided in close consultation with local Training of Existen- Formation “zero hour”. People’s survival here Church decision-makers. The bishops priests tial help of faith

Head of Section Dr Andrzej Halemba

A displaced family from Aleppo, which has been living for nearly three years under difficult conditions in Tartus, a city on the Syrian coast.

68 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Middle East – Syria Girl in the destroyed Al-Jdaideh quarter in Aleppo.

A mother and her son light a candle in a Syrian Orthodox church on Assumption Day.

and priests, as well as the deacons fear and hope. Finding a shelter for the and sisters in the parishes, know best family in a country in ruins seems hope- which families need what form of aid less, more like a dream.” most urgently. Sometimes this is milk, sometimes a rent subsidy, sometimes medicine or clothing. » The biggest ruins lie in the

Perhaps the Maronite Archbishop of souls of the people. « Damascus, Samir Nassar, describes the situation best: “The people of Syria no Humanitarian aid, funds for education longer seek freedom. They now seek and reconstruction aid were once again daily bread, water, gas to cook, a few high on our agenda for Syria in 2018. litres of fuel. Then there is the search Most of the aid went to Aleppo, Homs, for a lost brother, sister, parents and Damascus, villages in the “Valley of friends – a quiet undertaking, full of Christians” and to Tartus, for it is here

The father of the martyr Makar Makar visits the grave of the martyr Krikor Ashnagelian at the Syrian-Armenian cemetery in Aleppo.

Middle East – Syria | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 69 that most of the Christians live. Some experiences. In order to improve the examples illustrate how great the need career prospects of young Christians, in the country still is. For example, we supported scholarships for 12,000 food packages were distributed to pupils and students. But reconstruc- 3,000 families with our support. We tion also remains a priority – in 2018, also provided humanitarian aid for 200 houses and flats were renovated a large-scale “milk programme” that with the help of ACN, offering Chris- » We focus our aid on was launched for 800 families with tians shelter and security in their children. Under the motto “Good homeland once again. The restoration areas where most Samaritan”, we also helped to create of another 500 residential units will Christians live. « an initiative to treat traumatic war follow this year.

Sister Samia of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Homs playing football with one of the children of “Le Sénevé”, a centre that cares for 80 children with disabilities or autism.

70 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Middle East – Syria Therese Dayekh is a Christian and a young war widow. Her three children were born with scoliosis and require constant medical treatment, which is co-supported by the Church.

Emergency aid for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Many Syrian Christians have budget in 2018, went to Syria fled to relatives in Lebanon alone as emergency aid for the out of the fear of persecution refugees in Lebanon. We also and violence. But for most, this consider our emergency aid to is only a temporary means of be an investment in the recon- existence. The vast majority struction of the Christian com- of them would like to return munity in Syria. Because every home as soon as possible, Christian who returns home live from the work of their strengthens the unity and own hands and help rebuild diversity of the Syrian Church. their country. These believ- And this unity ultimately helps ers are especially dear to our the entire population regain hearts. For this reason, around its self-confidence and sense 967,000 euros, or 59% of our of optimism.

Middle East – Syria | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 71 Iraq

Number of projects After years of Thousands were killed, and hundreds of 51 40 siege, Iraq has thousands fled during the war years. We now been liber- support the local Church wherever we ated from Daesh can. ACN’s involvement in the recon- Type of projects terror. But the struction of Christian settlements on the 12 0 0 country is still in a Nineveh Plains is our largest aid project 7 0 5 state of shock. The areas freed from the in recent decades. Daesh are almost completely destroyed; 3 5 8 unemployment and economic decline The effects of the humanitarian crisis in still prevail. As in Syria, millions of peo- Iraq continue to ripple throughout the Head of Section ple here are dependent on humanitarian country, even after liberation from the Dr Andrzej Halemba aid. The situation for the Christians in Daesh. Currently, some 6.7 million people the country is disastrous as well. It is are dependent on some form of foreign estimated that there are only 250,000 aid, including 3.3 million children. The Christians living in Iraq at the moment. Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako

» We are pleased about every Christian who returns to Iraq. «

600 Christian refugees have been receiving support and shelter from the Church for six years.

72 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Middle East – Iraq A man and a child in Batnaya, a town that has also suffered extensive war damage.

Holy Mass at St. George’s Church in Tesqopa.

» Reconstruction in the Nineveh Plains is giving thousands of Christians a home again. « of Baghdad explained to us in which areas Iraq still needs urgent help: “Education, political support, security in the liberat- ed areas, humanitarian aid and the fight against fundamentalism and terrorism. The stability of this state depends on all these factors. And whether people stay or flee depends on stability.”

ACN’s primary focus in Iraq is on tasks which are not covered by other aid agen- cies. For example, the reconstruction of churches and ecclesiastical institutions, monasteries, schools, kindergartens, Qaraqosh awakens rectories and parish centres. to new life

Qaraqosh was the largest Plains, Christian life in Christian city in Iraq before Qaraqosh is vibrant again the Daesh invasion. In 2014, after four years. By 2018, the town in the Nineveh 377 boys and girls had al- Plains was occupied by ready celebrated their first Daesh rebels and largely communion. They are part destroyed. It was a place of families who fled the of death. Thanks to ACN- Islamists in 2014 and have backed reconstruction been able to return in the efforts on the Nineveh past two years. Displaced Christians in Kirkuk receiving food supplies.

Middle East – Iraq | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 73 ACN also actively supports the pastoral of the Christian faith. Most Christians ministry of clergy and religious, e.g. fled to neighbouring regions, where they through Mass stipends and material were forced to persevere as internally support. displaced persons. ACN has provided nearly 100,000 of them with regular food and shelter in recent years. » Of 19,452 families, 9,119 had returned to the Nineveh Plains by March 2019. « In addition, together with the Syrian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox and Chaldean The fate of Christians on the Nineveh Catholic Churches, we have established Plains has been of particular concern the Nineveh Reconstruction Commit- to us in recent years. Daesh rebels not tee. The ambitious reconstruction only set fire to houses in the Christian programme has set itself the goal of settlements, but also destroyed people’s persuading the refugees to return to the livelihoods by cutting down their fruit Nineveh Plains. trees and ravaging their fields. But the hatred of the ‘holy warriors’ was also The project has developed into a suc- directed against churches as visible signs cessful model. To date, more than half

Thanks in part to ACN, this family in Qaraqosh was able to return to its home town.

74 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Middle East – Iraq Reconstruction in Tesqopa.

Illuminated candles in the Cave of Raban Boya, near the town of Shaqlawa. The cave is a place of pilgrimage for native Christians and Muslims.

of the Christians have returned to their native homeland. With the help of ACN and other aid organisations, along with government agencies from Germany, Hungary, Austria, Poland and the USA, 5,761 houses and flats have already been renovated on the Nineveh Plains. In 2018 alone, more than 9,100 families were able to find a new home here.

Through the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee, ACN has provided three grants totalling 6.16 million euros for reconstruc- tion efforts on the Nineveh Plains. And the project continues: 14,035 homes, hun- dreds of churches and community centres, Optimal needs assessment thanks schools and outpatient clinics are part of the largest reconstruction programme the to a digital management platform region has ever seen. In order to manage an aid participating aid agencies was project like the Nineveh Recon- created, which compiles needs struction Programme, perfect more precisely for concrete organisation and quality assistance on site. Audit results control between the funding have confirmed the high qual- partners is required. Thanks to ity level of the Reconstruction a digital platform that man- Committee’s administrative ages the housing projects, a tasks in terms of accountability, comprehensive data pool of all transparency and reporting.

Middle East – Iraq | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 75 Bild wird noch farblich angepasst

76 | ACN Activity Report 2018 Western/Eastern Europe Even thirty years after the political changes in Eastern Europe, the effects of atheistic communism are still evident. The population and the Church are affect- ed by economic hardships in many places. In addition, many local churches still have to bear the burdens of their expropriation. ACN has been supporting the Church of Eastern Europe in its spiritual and material reconstruction work for many years with numerous aid projects. In Western Europe, on the other hand, the problem of refugees continues to pose a great challenge to the Church – ACN’s main focus here is on pastoral care for Christian refugees.

To this day, local churches in Eastern workers who understand people’s Europe are still fighting for the resti- needs and are able to spiritually tution of property taken from them support them is immense. This as a result of expropriation during the is why the formation of priests, communist era. But in many Eastern religious and the laity is so impor- European countries, the Church is tant and is at the top of ACN’s list of also under financial pressure due to priorities. the economic crisis, and monasteries and seminaries are also affected. But there are also encouraging Many local churches are still depend- developments, especially in Russia. ent on aid from abroad to maintain Although the Catholic Church is in pastoral care. the minority here, its voice receives more and more attention in society. For more than 25 years, ACN has » There is still much work to been promoting dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Church- be done – spiritually as well es. This dialogue was also revived as materially.« by the historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in February 2016. New The areas overseen by priests in East- constructive forms of cooperation ern European countries are frequently have emerged, in which ACN is also very large. And the need for pastoral actively involved.

Western/Eastern Europe | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 77 Refugees in Western Europe The Iraqi refugee Marwan Jalal Khalil attempts to come to terms Most of the at home in their new homelands, and with his new situation in life. refugees who also when it comes to faith, which is have found so important for their identity. asylum in West- Head of Section ern European ACN not only helps the Western Church Peter Humeniuk countries have in pastoral care, but also supports experienced persecution, violence contemplative monasteries and the and discrimination. A roof over the formation of priests, as well as Catholic head and material support often are media outlets, congresses and oth- » There is also a lack of not enough to restore their courage er events that strengthen faith and and confidence – many long for a promote Christian values in society. a spiritual home for new spiritual home as well. ACN has Project aid also flows into new spiritual many refugees. « therefore intensified its support for communities that are particularly the pastoral care of Christian refu- attractive to young believers, frequent- gees. We support the Church in its ly helping to bring new momentum to pastoral work so that refugees feel their parishes. Iraqi refugee children reading the children’s Bible in the Chaldean Catholic community in Essen/Germany. The community was Many requests for support from Western provided with 300 Arabic Bibles. Europe also relate to new evangelisa- tion initiatives.The drop in the number of believers, the decline in priestly and religious vocations, the ageing of socie- ty, the dwindling knowledge of faith and the current questioning of the Christian roots of Europe are gradually draining the Church, both in terms of personnel and structure. As in the pastoral care of refugees, the procurement of Bibles and religious literature also plays a decisive role in the new evangelisation. Here ACN helps the Church to procure the necessary literature in the respective native languages.

78 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Western/Eastern Europe – Refugees in Western Europe ACN provided formative aid to 23 seminarians of the Archbishop’s Seminary in Prague.

Number of projects 10 5 Project Funded applications projects

Type of projects 0 0 2 Construction/ Means of Mass reconstruction transport stipends

0 0 0 Emergency Media Bibles & aid help books

3 0 0 Training of Existential Formation priests help of faith

Head of Section Czech Republic Peter Humeniuk

The Czech Repub- Cardinal, who had spent three years lic is considered in German concentration camps and the most atheistic another 16 years in communist prisons country in Europe. as a result of his courageous resistance to In the last census the communist government, was expelled in 2011, nearly 80% from the country in 1965 and died in of the 10.5 million inhabitants either Rome in 1969. The fact that he found his described themselves as non-denomi- final resting place in Prague 50 years after national or provided no response. Only his death was highly symbolic for many 10% are Catholic. The consequences Czechs and for the country’s Church. » A new generation of 40 years of communist persecution And this is also true for ACN. After all, the of the Church have left deep wounds Cardinal was a close friend and partner to of Christians is among the local churches that only our foundation during his exile. growing up here. « heal slowly. ACN supports the Church in the training of priests and with Mass stipends, with great success. Many parishes are now experiencing a slight increase in the number of believers.

The Church in the Czech Republic sees hope, mainly in the younger generation. Many young adults are being baptised and there are more families with small children in the Masses. A new generation is growing up here that has made a con- scious decision to believe in God. They may still be few in number, but they live their faith with conviction.

Another positive sign for Church and society in the Czech Republic occurred in Seminarians carry Joseph Cardinal April 2018 with the transfer of the mortal Beran’s coffin to the remains of Joseph Cardinal Beran. The Prague Cathedral.

Western/Eastern Europe – Czech Republic | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 79 Bosnia and Herzegovina Renovation of the war-damaged parish In Bosnia and and no longer see any prospects for church of Sv.Filip i Jakov in Mrkonjic Grad parish. Herzegovina, themselves. For years, bishops have affiliation with complained that Christians and Cro- a religious com- atians who had fled the Bosnian war munity is closely and wanted to return are not receiving linked to ethnic the support they deserve. origin. The Bosnians are Muslims, Number of projects the Serbs are Orthodox and the Croats are Catholic. Catholics here » Catholics are not 69 50 form a minority of just under 14% on an equal footing – with a downward trend. Many of Type of projects the Catholics were already displaced in our country.« 21 11 0 by the Bosnian war and those who return home are often discriminated Due to the widespread social 0 1 1 against and socially disadvantaged. discrimination against Catholics, 8 4 4 One focus of our project support is the Catholic Church is increasingly therefore supporting initiatives that involved in initiatives that involve in- Head of Section promote reconciliation between terreligious reconciliation work. This Magda Kaczmarek religious communities. ultimately benefits all ethnic groups in the country. At the same time, the Overall, an increasing Islamisation can initiatives bring permanent jobs to be seen in Bosnia and Herzegovina, schools and charitable institutions, which is reflected in numerous new giving numerous families hope for the ACN provided financial mosques in the country. The Catholic future. A good example of this is the support for the newly opened pastoral care office of the Church, on the other hand, has been John Paul II Youth Centre in Sarajevo, diocesan youth in Banja Luka. witnessing a sharp decline. Already which provides a range of interde- during the Bosnian war from 1992 nominational dialogue initiatives. It to 1995, every second of what were is supported every year by ACN and then approximately 500,000 Catholic even opened a branch in northern Croats was expelled or forced into Bosnia in autumn 2018 – due in part emigration. The exodus continues to ACN’s help. In addition, we sup- to this day. Every year, about 10,000 port the reconstruction of churches Catholics leave the country because destroyed in the Bosnian war, help they suffer disadvantages on the job fund the formation of priests and help market, in schools and in social life, sisters with subsistence grants.

80 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Western/Eastern Europe – Bosnia and Herzegovina Thanks to a newly-pur- chased van for Vsikh Svyatykh parish in Feodosia, this elderly couple can also be supplied with basic ne- cessities by the parish once a month.

Number of projects

373 275

Type of projects

74 48 59

3 2 8

25 15 41

Head of Section Ukraine Magda Kaczmarek

Corruption, Fortunately, there are still many new crime, economic priestly vocations in Ukraine. On the crisis and, last but other hand, living expenses are continu- not least, war in ally rising at seminaries and in the mon- the eastern part asteries. By promoting the education of the country and training of priests and religious, we have made life in Ukraine very diffi- try to cushion the material needs of the cult for years. The Catholic Church local Church. is in the minority here and takes the form of Roman Catholic and Greek In 2018, the Catholic media outlets Ra- Catholic denominations. Neverthe- dio Voskressinnya, Zhyve.TV, EWTN and less, it has an important voice in the Radio Maria, which spread the Word of fight against corruption and injustice. God, were also supported. Particularly » For a better future, Currently, the Church is seeking new in a time of military conflict in Eastern we are going down ways of evangelisation, as it sees its Ukraine, they represent a means of rec- commitment to youth and the family onciliation and understanding amongst new paths in evan- as an important investment in the the population. gelisation. « future. ACN has therefore increasingly strengthened its commitment to fami- ly and youth ministry.

In 2018, family policy was once again a Candles in the central issue for society and the Church Greek-Catholic Church in Kiev. in Ukraine. At the “March for Life” organised by the Interreligious Council of Ukraine in Kiev in June, 8,000 people of all ages and religions demonstrated for the protection of unborn human life and the family. The Church also attaches great importance to youth work. With ACN’s support, a Spiritual Youth Forum was held in October 2018 in preparation for the Youth Synod, where common goals were formulated and ideas and projects developed.

Western/Eastern Europe – Ukraine | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 81 Russia

Number of projects Although the to the Church in Russia is highly 91 80 Catholic Church diverse – for more than 25 years, in Russia is in one focus has been promoting di- the minority, its alogue and cooperation between Type of projects prestige in society the Catholic and Russian Ortho- 22 8 5 is noticeably in- dox Churches. 0 6 1 creasing. However, it still needs help from abroad to care for its believers, 5 6 27 who are often scattered across the » We are proud of our country. The East Siberian diocese Head of Section of St. Joseph alone, with its base in cooperation with the Peter Humeniuk Irkutsk, is larger than the USA with Russian Orthodox an area spread over nearly 10 million square kilometres. ACN’s commitment Church. «

Cooperation between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches was further intensified in 2018. For example, an ecumenical work- ing group established in 2016 as Cardinal Kurt Koch, President a result of the historic meeting of the Pontifical Council for between Pope Francis and Patri- Promoting Christian Unity, and Metropolitan Hilarion, arch Kirill oversaw the practical chairman of the Department implementation of points defined of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, at by the two church leaders in their a meeting in Vienna. declaration.

82 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Western/Eastern Europe – Russia Wooden church in the Khokhlovka open-air museum.

Priests from Talmenka parish during a procession to the newly renovated St Peter’s Church.

These include assisting needy Chris- tians in the Middle East. Against this background, Cardinal Kurt Koch and Metropolitan Hilarion met in Vienna on 12 February 2018 for a joint symposium on the topic of persecuted Christians in the Middle East. In cooperation with the Moscow Patriarchate, ACN presented a brochure on the destruction of churches in Syria.

A visible sign of the growing accept- ance of the Catholic Church in Russia in 2018 was the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the reopening of the only Catholic seminary in Russia. Since its foundation, the seminary based in Saint International Ecumenical Petersburg has developed into a lively centre of Catholic life, where not only Conference on Addiction ecumenical but also numerous cultural With ACN’s help, the International sensitising Catholic and Orthodox events take place. Ecumenical Conference on priests to the special needs of Addiction was held in St addicts in pastoral work and Petersburg for the second time in establishing support systems October 2018. One the objectives for addicts as an integral part of formulated by participants is training at seminaries.

Western/Eastern Europe – Russia | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 83 84 | ACN Activity Report 2018 Asia/Oceania In most countries in Asia and Oceania, people have to bear bitter poverty. This is exacerbated by the fact that in most Asian countries, Christians are in the minority and suffer from persecution and discrimination. In Asia, with Ocean- ia, there are also many natural disasters, frequently caused by the effects of climate change. Migration to cities coupled with social and cultural uprooting are often the consequences. Here the Church, in addition to its pastoral mis- sion, is also a source of charitable assistance. But it can hardly cope with its tasks without outside support. In 2018, ACN supported the Church in Asia and Oceania with a total of 12.1 million euros.

The challenges facing the Church can reach the people to whom in the vast area of Asia and Oceania they offer pastoral care. In Central vary greatly from region to region. Asia, as in nearly all countries of For example, Christians in South Asia and Oceania, pastoral care and South-east Asia have been for families and young people suffering for years from the rise has become a focal point of the of Islamism or – as in India – from Church’s work. ACN supports these extreme Hindu nationalism, which initiatives as well as the construc- has already claimed many Christian tion and repair of church buildings victims. and the formation of candidates to the priesthood, religious and The centre of Marawi on catechists. the Mindanao archipel- » Thanks to your help, we can ago in the Philippines, which was destroyed by continue our pastoral work. « Islamist extremists.

In East Asia, on the other hand, government repression often makes life difficult for the Church. And in Central Asia, the Church is still occu- pied with rebuilding its structures after the collapse of communism in the former Soviet republics. In areas that are often vast, vehicles are needed so that priests and sisters

Asia/Oceania | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 85 Nun of the Order “Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary”, busy overseeing homework.

Number of projects

72 58 Project Funded applications projects

Type of projects 18 6 3 Construction/ Means of Mass reconstruction transport stipends

0 0 4 Emergency Media Bibles & aid help books

3 6 18 Training of Existential Formation priests help of faith

Head of Section Peter Humeniuk Kazakhstan

The former Although Muslims are in the vast ma- Soviet republic jority in Kazakhstan, Christians here Kazakhstan are largely spared discrimination and has been persecution, unlike in many other Asian independent countries. The relationship between Rus- since 1991. The sian Orthodox and Catholic Christians is vast country in Central Asia covers also rather relaxed. This makes Kazakh- 2.7 million square kilometres and stan a good example of the friendly is rich in natural resources. About cooperation and coexistence of both 70% of the 18 million inhabitants are Christian denominations. There are joint Muslim, while there are only 300,000 initiatives and open discussions on many » This country is a Catholic Christians in the country. important issues which both churches ACN is aware of the concerns of the are confronted with today. good example of the local Church and therefore provides friendly coexistence support for construction projects, Of the 300,000 Catholics in the country, mobility, education and material aid most are descendants of former depor- of Catholic and Or- to strengthen the Church’s presence in tees and have Polish, German, Baltic or thodox Christians. « the country. Ukrainian roots. In order to survive eco- nomically, the Catholic community here urgently needs help from abroad. ACN helps finance vehicles for pastoral care, supports church building projects and provides assistance to foreign priests and members of the order in obtaining residence visas. In addition, it provides material aid to sisters and funds training for future priests.

Sisters’ quarters in Kapchagay in south-east Kazakhstan.

86 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Asia/Oceania – Kazakhstan In Glasnogar, pupils help build a chapel for the Marist Broth- ers of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh

Despite grati- because of their ethnic origin, as Number of projects fying economic many of them have indigenous roots. growth, the 47 32 majority of Often the Church is the only institu- Type of projects about 163 tion here that stands up for the rights million inhab- of minorities and defends the right 9 1 6 itants still suffers from poverty, which to religious expression. ACN supports is exacerbated by natural disasters. the local Church in these endeav- 1 0 1 As a result, the rural population is in- ours and is increasing its funding 2 2 10 creasingly losing sources of livelihood for family and youth pastoral care, and is migrating to metropolitan areas which enables faith to flourish in this Head of Section in large numbers. The local Church difficult environment. Other funding Véronique Vogel faces great challenges in providing projects include Mass stipends, the pastoral care to new arrivals in the cit- purchase of vehicles and the con- ies, but also as a result of the discrim- struction of church buildings, which » The Church is often ination they suffer. ACN is involved in represent the “heart” of the Christian the only institution numerous projects here, especially communities. in the pastoral care of families and that fights for the young people. rights of minorities. «

Muslims make up nearly 90% of Bang- ladesh’s population. The second largest Restricted rights group are Hindus. Only 600,000 people for Christians. are Christians, 380,000 of them Catho- lics. Nevertheless, the Catholic Church According to the constitution, eth- plays an important role in education nic and religious minorities are only and health care. Every year, for example, entitled to limited rights. For example, 100,000 pupils attend Catholic schools, many Christians experience disadvan- the majority of them Muslims. On the tages in their search for work or are other hand, Christians in Bangladesh are victims of land theft. Unfortunately, often discriminated against by Muslims, discrimination against Christian pupils not only because of their faith, but also is also common in state schools.

Asia/Oceania – Bangladesh | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 87 India

Number of projects India has the While Christianity has been present 701 487 world’s second in South India for nearly 2,000 years largest popula- and goes back to the Apostle Thomas, tion and is one the Church is still young in the poor Type of projects of the fastest north and north-east of the country. 71 44 125 growing econ- Here the local Church requires a good 1 4 17 omies. But there are also downsides. deal of support, because church life Christians and other religious minorities is still in the process of establishing 124 7 94 face increasing hostility. Although the itself. Parts of the infrastructure are Indian constitution guarantees religious underdeveloped, and remote areas in Heads of Section freedom, discrimination against religious the jungle or in mountainous regions Véronique Vogel minorities by Hindu extremists has in- are difficult to reach. Reinhard Backes creased. ACN particularly supports those dioceses where Christians experience But despite all the hardships, most political and social pressure and where of the approximately 21 million the Church is in dire material need. Catholics in India live their faith with

» Christians and other minorities have a difficult time in India. «

The faithful on their way home Sisters in conversation with after a Christian procession in believers in Gumuda, diocese the state of Bihar. of Kashinagar.

88 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Asia/Oceania – India Catholics in a mission chapel in the state of Jharkhand.

A mother and her son at the chapel of a remote Catholic mission parish in the state of Jharkhand.

conviction. The number of priestly voca- Desperate woman in tions is also high: Altogether, there are the state of Bihar. more than 30,000 Catholic priests and almost 100,000 sisters – and the number is rising. To further strengthen the pres- ence of the local Church, ACN supports the formation of priests, religious and the laity, the construction and renova- tion of rectories, chapels and monas- teries, and programmes to deepen the faith. Further funds are invested in the purchase of vehicles to ensure pastoral care in areas that are difficult to reach.

Anti-conversion law weakens religious minorities. Seven of India’s 29 states cur- belong to the lowest social rently have anti-conversion laws class in Indian society, along in force. The decree prohibits with people of indigenous Hindus from converting to other roots, are also affected by denominations of faith. Against repressive measures. If they this background, Christians are accept the Christian faith, they often accused of wanting to also lose the little state support missionise Hindus. “Dalits”, also that is granted to ethnic minori- known as “Untouchables”, who ties and Dalits. Catechesis in Gumuda, diocese of Kashinagar.

Asia/Oceania – India | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 89 Pakistan

Number of projects Christians, chi, appointed Cardinal in 2018, sees with about “signs of hope”. Noticeable momen- 73 61 3 million be- tum has been generated by the local lievers, form a Church, which was able to success- Type of projects small minority fully implement many projects in 15 8 4 among the 2018 with the help of ACN – including 205 million Muslims of Pakistan. Like spiritual guidance and family pasto- 1 1 5 other religious minorities in Pakistan, ral care, which is of central impor- 2 1 24 they are often treated as second-class tance for the future of the Church in citizens. But the Archbishop of Kara- Pakistan. Head of Section Reinhard Backes

Bishop Samson Shukar- din visiting the village of Bethlehem in the diocese of Hyderabad.

90 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Asia/Oceania – Pakistan Nearly completed Catho- lic church in the centre of Issa Nagri in the diocese of Faisalabad.

Children praying in the village of Bethlehem, diocese of Hyderabad.

» The well-being of families is crucial for the future of the world and the Church. «

Christians in Pakistan still face dis- a better future. This includes funding crimination in their daily lives. Many pastoral initiatives, but the formation are put under pressure to convert of priests, religious and the laity also to Islam. Not infrequently, they are play an important role. For example, also falsely accused of having insult- the National Commission for Family ed Islam, which comes with serious and Life, supported by ACN, trains consequences. It was a joyful mo- the laity to prepare young couples for ment for Christians in Pakistan when marriage and to offer pastoral care for Joseph Coutts, Archbishop of Karachi, families and couples. “The well-being was appointed Cardinal by the Pope of families is crucial to the future of in June 2018. Overall, the country is the world and the Church,” said Bishop marked by positive developments: For Samson Shukardin, Chairman of the example, in October 2018, after ten Commission. years, the Supreme Court overturned a death sentence on the Christian Asia ACN also supports the construction Bibi for allegedly insulting the Prophet of church buildings in all dioceses of Mohammed. In light of this, Cardinal Pakistan. Unfortunately, due to the Coutts has even made reference to a threat of terrorism, it is often neces- new “time of hope” for the Church in sary to implement security measures Pakistan. at places of worship, including the installation of surveillance cameras, ACN would like to continue supporting as well as the erection of walls around the Church in Pakistan on its way to church buildings. Catholics, Muslims and Sikhs planting an olive tree at a peace meeting.

Asia/Oceania – Pakistan | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 91 Vietnam 95 Sisters of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Nha Trang, Although Viet- predominantly benefit male and female South Vietnam, taking their vows. nam, a com- religious and diocesan priests. munist-ruled, Confucian The Church is also concerned about country, has religious freedom. Although the gov- made signif- ernment has recently shown itself to be icant economic progress in recent more tolerant of religions, the Bishops’ years, it still ranks among the poorer Conference criticised the 2016 Religions middle-income countries. Consum- Act for not defining the freedom of Number of projects er-oriented thinking and the desire faith and religion as a human right, but for a higher standard of living drive instead as a grace that must be request- 140 139 people to the cities on a massive scale. ed. Due to war damages and climate The resulting process of upheaval and changes, numerous renovations and Type of projects crisis of faith has also been observed new constructions of places of worship 22 23 1 with great concern by the Church. ACN are still necessary. We continue to try to supports the Catholic Church in its ef- take these circumstances into account 1 0 0 forts to restore stability and perspec- with moderate construction aid. For 78 0 14 tive to the faithful. their part, many dioceses are careful to keep their own contributions as high As a result of the rural exodus and as possible and to only use ACN grants growing migrant labour, traditional for supplementary purposes. This is a values and customs in Vietnam are welcome development, because nothing increasingly being lost. While young makes us happier than local churches parents frequently seek work in the cit- becoming more self-sufficient. ies, their children usually grow up with their grandparents. Against this back- ground, in 2017 the Bishops’ Conference launched a three-year programme for the pastoral care of families and began to » The Church tries to be adapt its catechesis to social upheavals. Such challenges can hardly be overcome a home for families without new priests and sisters who are that are falling apart sufficiently trained. Our help for the Viet- namese Church therefore also includes as a result of migrant stipends and training allowances, which labour. «

92 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Asia/Oceania – Vietnam Fabian Alotau with his wife and daughters; he used to beat his wife. But the pastoral care of his family helped him to change his behaviour. Today he is the family counsellor in the diocese.

Number of projects

42 23

Type of projects

3 6 4

0 0 0

4 2 4

Head of Section Papua New Guinea Irene Eschmann

Papua New able support system. For this reason, Guinea is the the Catholic Church is focusing more largest and and more on family pastoral care and most pop- social initiatives, so that people do not ulous state feel left alone in facing the mounting in Oceania. challenges and can envision a future The country has one of the most for themselves. ACN supports the local diverse ecosystems on earth and a Church in these activities. myriad of different cultures with around 830 languages. Most of the approximately 8 million inhabitants » Those who have been profess Christianity, and about half uprooted need faith are Catholics. Many people feel left behind and uprooted by the coun- as a reliable means of try’s rapid technological progress. support. « ACN supports the local Church with numerous support measures, mainly Once again, we supported an extensive for family pastoral care. The Church pastoral programme in the diocese of is also active with social initiatives Wabag that will be carried out over to strengthen people psychologically a period of three years. Most of the and to anchor them more deeply in faithful there live in a mountainous A priest visiting sick the faith. region, which is difficult to access. people in a hospital. Thirteen committees of the diocese Many people in Papua New Guinea feel organise pastoral and social initiatives unable to cope with the rapid changes in the parishes which cover nearly brought about by digitalisation and all the areas of daily life. They also globalisation. Social uprooting, a guide the faithful so that they can high level of crime, drug and alcohol continue the projects independently addiction, domestic violence and child in the future. Deepening the faith and abuse are often the consequences. improving the actual circumstances of Additionally, the Catholic Church in life thus go hand in hand. In addition, Papua New Guinea has only been we were able to purchase new vehicles in place for a few generations, so it for pastoral care for several dioceses in is often not yet deeply rooted. Here the country and support needy priests people often lack faith as a depend- with Mass stipends.

Asia/Oceania – Papa New Guinea | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 93 Philippines

Number of projects The history of The Mindanao archipelago, on which a the Catholic relatively large number of Muslims live, 87 78 Church in the occupies a special position on the Phil- Philippines ippine islands. Islamist terrorist groups Type of projects goes back 400 want to establish an Islamic state there. 17 8 5 years. Today, In May 2017, several hundred Islamist 80% of the population profess the fighters nearly razed the city of Marawi 0 3 4 Catholic faith. However, the Church’s to the ground, killed numerous people 14 6 21 relationship with President Rodrigo and took hostages. Duterte remains tense, partly be- Head of Section cause he has already had thousands Those who were able to escape the Reinhard Backes of alleged drug criminals executed bloodbath fled from the terrorists in without a trial. Not only problems mortal terror. ACN provided emergency such as drug dealing, but also social aid to the refugees. Meanwhile, its main inequality and growing materialism focus is on providing pastoral and ther- » Faith and dialogue are noticeable everywhere in the apeutic support for the traumatised. island nation. ACN is particular- In 2018, for example, ACN supported a are our guides to ly instrumental in helping poorer project to help 200 men, women and reconciliation. « dioceses to maintain the necessary children who had been imprisoned structures. Another focal point of our for months and suffered physical and assistance is the funding of pastoral emotional anguish. These include care – especially for the refugees on raped women and girls. Christians and the Mindanao archipelago. Muslims alike are cared for.

94 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Asia/Oceania – Philippines One of the students involved in the “Youth for Peace” project in Marawi to promote dia- logue between Muslims and Christians.

Students promote dialogue between Christians and Muslims. A refugee child in a Chris- The massacre on Mindanao that peaceful coexistence is tian refugee camp after the terrible siege of Marawi. ultimately prompted a further ini- possible, even in the wake of the tiative by the local Church, which terrible events of 2017. For the is also supported by ACN: In the local bishop Edwin de la Peña y “Youth for Peace” project, Chris- Angot of Marawi, dialogue and tian and Muslim students visit the reconstruction of peaceful refugee camps, where thousands coexistence between Christians of refugees from Marawi are still and Muslims are a top priority. living. The students help the refu- ACN will continue to support gees, regardless of their religious his peace and reconciliation affiliation, and are visible proof initiatives.

Asia/Oceania – Philippines | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 95 Index

A D Advocacy 13, 30 Papua New Guinea 93 Daesh (IS) 72, 73, 74, 94 Nineveh Reconstruction Project 32 Philippines 15, 94, 95 Distribution of Bibles, religious books Public relations 34 Vietnam 92 and media 7, 14, 28, 29 Religious Freedom Report 30, 32, 33 DOCAT 29, 38, 39 Administrative Council 103 Donation cycle 100, 101 Africa 9, 15, 22, 24, 54, 102 B Bangladesh 87 Benin 56 Benim 56 Cameroon 59 E Boko Haram 58 Ecclesiastic Assistant 103 Central African Republic 60, 61 Bosnia and Herzegovina 80 El Salvador 51 Ethiopia 63 Brazil 50, 51 Emergency assistance in cases of war, Liberia 57 displacement, violence and natural Mali 57 catastrophes 7, 14, 26, 27 Mozambique 65 C Ethiopia 63 Nicaragua 52 Cameroon 59 EU 30, 32 Nigeria 58 Candles for Peace 34, 35 Europe 15, 22, 76 South Sudan 62 Catholic Radio & Television Network Executive President 103 Tanzania 64 (CRTN) 40, 41 Existential help for religious 7, 14, 22 Uruguay 53 Central African Republic 60, 61 Aleppo 68, 69 Child’s Bible 29 Asia 9, 22, 24 Construction and reconstruction of F Asia/Oceania 15, 84 church facilities 7, 14, 24 Facts and figures 12 Bangladesh 87 CRTN 40, 41 Faith formation of the laity 7, 14, 23 India 88, 89 Czech Republic 79 Francis, Pope 3, 37, 38, 77, 82 Kazakhstan 86 Pakistan 15, 90, 91

96 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Index G N T General Council 103 National Sections 10, 11, 30, 34, 101, Tanzania 64 103 Training of priests and religious 7, Nigeria 58 14, 20, 21 H Boko Haram 58 History 102 Nicaragua 52 Homs 69 Night of the Witnesses 36 U Ukraine 81 Nineveh Plains 32, 72, 73, 74, 75 United Nations 32 Nineveh Reconstruction Project 32, 74, I Uruguay 53 Imprint Inside front cover 75 India 88, 89 Information, prayer, action 12, 98 V Inform, pray and help 6, 30 O Venezuela 46, 47 Organisational structure 103 Iraq 1, 15, 31, 72, 73, 74, 75 Vietnam 15, 92 Ostpriesterhilfe 8, 102 Daesh (IS) 72, 73, 74, 94 Nineveh Plains 78 Nineveh Reconstruction Project 75 W P Werenfried van Straaten, Fr. 8, 25, Qaraqosh 78 Pakistan 15, 90, 91 27, 102 Papua New Guinea 93 Western/Eastern Europe 15, 76 Peru 48, 49 Bosnia and Herzegovina 80 K Philippines 15, 94, 95 Kazakhstan 86 Czech Republic 79 Mindanao 94, 95 Kirill of Moscow, Patriarch 77, 82 Refugees in Western Europe 78 Photo index Inside back cover KPMG 13 Russia 82, 83 Piacenza, Mauro Cardinal 1, 103 Ukraine 81 Pontifical Foundation 1, 3, 6, 102 World Family Meeting 37 L Public relations 11, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37 Lebanon 71 Candles for Peace 34, 35 Liberia 57 DOCAT 38, 39 Y Latin America 9, 15, 19, 21, 22, 24, 37, 41, Red Wednesday 36, 37 YOUCAT 38, 39, 47 44, 102 World Family Meeting 37 Brazil 50, 51 YOUCAT 38, 39 Peru 48, 49 Nicaragua 52 Venezuela 46, 47 Q Qaraqosh 67, 73 Uruguay 53

R M Red Wednesday 36, 37 Mali 57 Refugees in Western Europe 78 Mass stipends 7, 14, 16, 18, 19 Religious freedom 1, 6, 30, 31, 32, 33 Means of transport for pastoral care 7, Religious Freedom Report 1, 30, 32, 33, 14, 25 37 Media support for the propagation of faith Russia 77, 82, 83 7, 12, 40 Moscow 77, 82, 83 Middle East 15, 66, 71 Iraq 15, 71, 76, 78 Syria 68, 69, 70, 71 S Mindanao 94, 94, 95 Secretary General 100, 101, 102, 105 Mission-related expenditures 12, 13 Seminarians 1, 16, 20 Mission, vision, guidelines 98, 99 South Sudan 62 Moscow 84 Superior Council 103 Mozambique 65 Syria 15, 32, 34, 35, 37, 68, 69, 71 Mosul 77 Aleppo 68, 69 Homs 69

Index | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 97 » For the love of Christ urges us on. « 2 Corinthians 5:14

Our mission Our guidelines As a Catholic charity, we support the 1. We are loyal to the Holy Father. As faithful wherever they are persecuted, a Pontifical Foundation, we partici- oppressed or in need, through informa- pate in the universal mission of the tion, prayer and action. Church. 2. We serve the cause of evangelisa- Our vision tion. We respond courageously to the challenges of the time following A world in which Christianity can thrive the teachings of the Church. everywhere. 3. We are committed to the persecuted Church. By sharing testimonies of faith, we build a bridge of charity between our benefactors and bene- ficiaries. 4. We are custodians of our benefac- tors’ generosity. We run modern, transparent and effective fundrais- ing and administration.

98 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Our mission, our vision and our values Our values 1. Faith and Christian love 4. Unity 7. Accountability The foundation of all our activities Conceived as a “bridge of love” from We handle the funds we receive with is Christian faith and love. This its origins, ACN serves for unity and the highest care, seeking efficiency includes our fidelity to the Holy reconciliation. We create communion and measuring impact both in our Father and the adherence to both with and between both our benefac- funding activities and within our the teachings and institutions of the tors and beneficiaries through prayer, internal organization. We work trans- Catholic Church. providing information and expressing parently, showing the sources, uses gratitude. and achievements of the funds we Prayer 2. receive. Regular prayer, personal and com- 5. Service mon, animates our daily work and We fulfil our mission through mercy 8. Trust strengthens our missionary spirit. It and humble service, listening care- Our unshakeable trust in Divine moves us to offer assistance to those fully to the needs of our partners. We Providence guides us into the future who are suffering because of their aspire to be a personal source of com- and enables us to place trust in loyalty to Christ and His Church – on fort and strength to our beneficiaries others and, in turn, to be trusted by whose prayers we rely as well. and benefactors. them. Consecrated to Our Lady of Fatima we are filled with hope and Pastoral commitment Openness 3. 6. confidence. We strive to proclaim the Gospel, be Through our support of the Universal it “welcome or unwelcome” (2 Tim- Church we promote a respectful dia- othy 4:2), responding courageously logue with many cultures around the to the challenges of the time. We do world. We live this openness ourselves this when engaging our benefactors in our manifold encounters both with- and by financing pastoral projects in and outside the Catholic Church. with their contributions.

Our mission, our vision and our values | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 99 This is how donations become concrete aid for Christians in need. For more than 70 years, Aid to the It is our moral duty to channel the dona- Church in Need has supported church- tions we receive with the utmost care. es in need, as well as Christians suffer- For it is our mission to promote ecclesial ing from discrimination and persecu- and spiritual communion between those tion around the globe. From the very who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ beginning, we have been guided by and those who possess a compassionate values such as professionalism, trans- and generous heart. And we will remain parency, effectiveness and efficiency. faithful to this credo in the future. The These are values that we have stood following diagram provides an overview by uncompromisingly in the past and of how the donation cycle at ACN works. continue to do so today, ensuring that » It is our moral duty to our benefactors’ donations have the best possible effect precisely where use donations in a they are most urgently needed: among responsible manner. « local churches in need.

Clear organisational structures between our headquarters, our global national of- fices and our project partners ensure that the entire process, extending from pro- ject application and needs assessment to project approval and funds provision, can be designed conscientiously and efficiently. As a rule, only three months elapse between the time that an aid application has been received and our decision to approve or reject it.

100 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Donation cycle Donation cycle

asks for informs about organise information support projects activities

1. 3. 4.

Local church in 2. Head- National Donors need quarters sections

7. 6. 5.

decides upon and transfer contribute finances projects donations donations

1. The need for project aid arises in a ACN headquarters confirms whether the 4. The offices organise information and place where the Church suffers from project has been approved or not. awareness-raising measures so that do- poverty or persecution. The diocese or nors support the projects. parish forwards the project to ACN (Aid Between one and six months after the to the Church in Need) headquarters in approval of the project has been granted, 5. Benefactors feel called on to join in and Königstein, Germany, with a recommen- ACN assumes the costs for the approved donate. dation from the local bishop or supervi- project. In emergencies, ACN headquar- sor. ters provides immediate funds. 6. ACN’s national offices transfer the chari- table contributions to ACN headquarters. 2. The head of section for the region 3. ACN headquarters informs the nation- analyses the project. If necessary, he or al offices about local fundraising projects 7. ACN decides on projects and their fund- she then asks for further information. and financing through benefactors. ing, tracks and monitors their implemen- Within a maximum of three months, tation.

Donation cycle | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 101 » The Lord always helped me and pro- vided me with what I asked him for to help the suffering Christians. « Father Werenfried van Straaten, founder of Aid to the Church in Need

A glimpse into history reveals the lasting in helping the cause of persecuted and impact that our founder Father Wer- suffering Christians. This will continue to enfried van Straaten still has today. In remain true in the future. his spirit, we remain active worldwide

1947 Father Werenfried van Straaten 1975 Relocation of the international calls on the people of Belgium and headquarters of Aid to the Church the Netherlands to help displaced in Need from Rome to Königstein/ Germans, including 3,000 priests Taunus (hence the original name “Ost- 1979 Start of the “Children’s Bible” priesterhilfe”). This aid to former project. The Bible has since been enemies was a unique act of translated into 191 languages; reconciliation. more than 51 million copies have 1950 Start of the “Chapel Truck Initi- been published and distributed to ative” – 35 trucks are converted date into “mobile chapels” for persons 1984 Recognition of Aid to the Church displaced from their homeland in Need by the Holy See as a 1952 Start of aid for the persecuted Universal Public Association of Church behind the “Iron Curtain” Pontifical Right

1953 Foundation of the International 1989 Political turning point in Eastern Building Order to construct hous- Europe, aid for reconstruction and es and churches for the poor new evangelisation in the former Eastern Bloc countries 1956 After the Hungarian uprising, the local Church is assisted 1992 Start of the project for reconcili- ation with the Russian Orthodox 1959 Start of the Asian Assistance Fund Church and first encounter of Father Werenfried with Mother Teresa 1997 50th anniversary of Aid to the in the “House of the Dying” in Church in Need Calcutta 2003 Father Werenfried dies on 31 Jan- 1962 Father Werenfried participates in uary at the age of 90 in his place of the Second Vatican Council; start residence, Bad Soden/Taunus of aid to Latin America 2007 Pope Benedict XVI asks ACN to 1965 Start of aid in Africa strengthen its commitment in the Middle East 1966 The congregation of the “Daugh- ters of the Resurrection” is found- 2011 Elevation of Aid to the Church in ed; the first educational facilities Need to a Foundation of Pontifical for young African women are Right by Pope Benedict XVI constructed in the Congo

102 | ACN Activity Report 2018 | Our history Aid to the Church in Need and its organisational structure

The Superior Council, under the chair- manship of its President, is responsible for the basic content and guidelines of the charity. Mauro Cardinal Piacenza President On behalf of the Superior Council and under the chairmanship of the Executive President, the Administrative Council ensures the statutory management of the charity.

In the General Council, the presidents of the 23 National Sections advise the foundation and vote on all the signifi- cant decisions of the Superior Council. Father Thomas Martin Barta Heine-Geldern International Executive President In cooperation with the Ecclesiastical Ecclesiastical Assistant Assistants of the National Sections, the International Ecclesiastical Assistant is responsible for the spiritual life of the foundation.

The General Secretariat in König- stein/Ts. centrally manages the entire funding activities and the financial, technical and administrative needs of Philipp Ozores the foundation. It supports the National Regina Lynch Secretary General Director of Projects Sections in providing media material and produces press and social media content and sound and video productions.

The 23 National Sections inform the benefactors and the public on the situ- ation and needs of suffering Christians. They initiate prayer campaigns, acquire Mark von new donors and are responsible for Riedemann Eric Dupont Director for Director of the foundation’s relations with its Public Affairs and Administration benefactors. Religious Freedom

Organisational structure | ACN Activity Report 2018 | 103 Notes

104 | ACN Activity Report 2018 Photo index (page/photo) © Ismael Martinez Sanchez/ACN: Titel, 1, 4-5, 8-9/1, 11/2, 12-13, 16-17, 20/1, 22/2, 26-27/1, 26/3, 33/1, 40-41, 44, 50/1, 66, 68/1-2, 69/1-2, 70/1-2, 71/2, 78/1, 88/1-2, 89/1+3, 98-99, 100-101 © Grzegorz Galazka: 2-3 ACN/Ilona Budzbon: 7/3, 103/4, 5, 7 ACN/Magdalena Wolnik: 10-11/1, 30-31/1, 63/2, 84 European Parliament, EPP Group: 31/2, 32/2, 5 Antoine Taveneaux/ad.INoc: 34/1, 36/3 YOUCAT Foundation: 38/1, 2 © L’Osservatore Romano/YOUCAT Foundation: 39 ACN/Jacques Berset: 42/2, 52/1 © Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) Directorate of Social Communications: 58/1 ACN/Fr. Federico Trinchero: 61/3 Clovek a Vira/Lucie Hornikova: 79/1 Clovek a Vira/ Michal Havel: 79/2 Kathpress: 82/2 Moscow Patriarchate: 83/2 © L’Osservatore Romano: 102/5 All other photos: ACN International www.aed-france.org [email protected] France www.acn-colombia.org [email protected] Colombia www.acn-chile.org [email protected] Chile www.acn-canada.org [email protected] Canada www.acn-brasil.org [email protected] Brazil www.acn-belgie.org [email protected] Belgium www.acn-oesterreich.org [email protected] Austria www.acn-australia.org [email protected] Australia worldwide Aid totheChurch inNeed www.acn-philippines.org [email protected] Philippines www.acn-mexico.org [email protected] Mexico www.acn-malta.org [email protected] Malta www.acn-luxemburg.org [email protected] Luxembourg www.acn-korea.org [email protected] Korea www.acn-italia.org [email protected] Italy www.acn-ireland.org [email protected] Ireland www.acn-deutschland.org [email protected] Germany www.acn-us.org [email protected] United States www.acn-uk.org [email protected] United Kingdom www.acn-nederland.org [email protected] The Netherlands www.acn-schweiz.org [email protected] Switzerland www.acn-espana.org [email protected] Spain www.acn-slovensko.org [email protected] Slovakia www.acn-portugal.org [email protected] Portugal www.acn-polska.org [email protected] Poland SWIFT GENODED1PAXSWIFT 80 8000 0193 4009 3706 DE76 IBAN Pax-Bank www.acninternational.org [email protected] Fax Tel. GERMANY 61462 Königstein/Ts. Bischof-Kindermann-Str. 23 Aid to theChurch inNeed ACN International Please support us! +49 (0)6174291195 +49 (0)61742910

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ACN Activity Report 2018