A charity that works with some of the most struggling Christian communities in the world has said it is “delighted” with the positive reaction to the work from Irish parishioner.
At the invitation of Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor, Aid to the Church in Need Ireland has begun an ambitions mission awareness programme in the Diocese of Down and Connor.
As part of the plan, representatives from ACN Ireland are visiting parishes in the dioceses, speaking at Masses and raising awareness about the plight of suffering and persecuted Christians.
Last year ACN International supported almost 6,000 projects helping some of the most vulnerable communities in the world including in war-torn Ukraine and the Holy Land.
Mr Davide Barbieri (pictured with Father Con Boyle PP and parishioners on his recent visit to the parish of Culfeightrin, Co Antrim), diocesan outreach officer with Aid to the Church in Need Ireland, said he was “delighted” with the reception in Down and Connor. “Priests and parishioners are so supportive and have great solidarity with Christians who are suffering in challenging parts of the world. It is a great source of comfort and consolation to the people we work with across the globe to know that the people of Down and Connor support them, and pray for them,” he said.
The Irish arm of ACN is one of 23 national offices that make up the Pontifical Foundation which is committed to material and spiritual support for Christians in need, particularly in the developing world.
Next month, the charity will mark ten years since the ISIS invasion of northern Iraq when the Christian community were forced to flee from their homes. So far, thanks to the support of ACN benefactors, almost half of the Christians have returned, and the charity has supported the reconstruction of many homes as well as churches and schools.
Mr Barbieri said he is heartened by the warm reaction in Down and Connor and is looking forward to visiting more parishes in the diocese that includes Co Antrim large parts of Co Down, and a small portion of Co Derry.
Call to action
If your parish or local prayer group is interested in having a representative from ACN update you on its work, please email [email protected].
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