How ACN Started
World War II, the most destructive war in history, left Europe devastated. Millions of people faced death and destruction. They were traumatized, homeless, and plagued by hunger, including Germans.
How ACN Started
World War II, the most destructive war in history, left Europe devastated. Millions of people faced death and destruction. They were traumatized, homeless, and plagued by hunger, including Germans.
Father Werenfried van Straaten, a Dutch Catholic priest, actively sought the help of all faithful for the German refugees. His work, at the behest of Pope Pius XII, led to the formation of Aid to the Eastern Priests (“Ostpriesterhilfe”). This later became the papal aid organization recognized in 2011 as Aid to the Church in Need.
A Pontifical Foundation with Worldwide Reach
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is an international Catholic charity serving Christians who are persecuted, oppressed, or suffering in material need.
This is made possible with the generosity of private donors, as ACN receives no public, government, or official Church funding.
Together, we support Christians around the world guided by our main pillars – Information, Prayer, and Action.
A Pontifical Foundation with Worldwide Reach
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is an international Catholic charity serving Christians who are persecuted, oppressed, or suffering in material need.
This is made possible with the generosity of private donors, as ACN receives no public, government, or official Church funding.
Together, we support Christians around the world guided by our main pillars – Information, Prayer, and Action.
“The culture of mercy is shaped in assiduous prayer, in docility to the working of the Holy Spirit, in knowing the lives of the saints, and in being close to the poor.”
– Pope Francis
“The culture of mercy is shaped in assiduous prayer, in docility to the working of the Holy Spirit, in knowing the lives of the saints, and in being close to the poor.”
– Pope Francis
