Aid to the Church in Need UK

Interview with an Aid to the Church in Need volunteer: Tony

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:00:00 +0000

Summer 2015 - Distribution of food packages in Iraq to 13,000 refugee Christian families.

Photo: Aid to the Church in Need

Tony tell us a bit about yourself...

Initially a graduate of history from the University College of Wales (Aberystwyth), I subsequently spent 40 years in the Civil Service, with HM Customs and Excise, and then HM Revenue & Customs. During that time I worked in a number of widely different roles. I am married, and have four children over 21.

How long have you been volunteering at the Charity?

If you exclude my time as Parish Rep for Aid to the Church in Need, at the Sacred Heart in Wimbledon (3 years), then I have acted as a volunteer at the UK Head Office in Sutton for one and a half years.

How did you hear about the charity?

By pure chance, at the last moment, I attended a Mass in the above Church and John Pontifex, Head of Press and Information at Aid to the Church in Need, made an appeal on behalf of the suffering church. I found John’s talk so moving that I resolved to help ACN in any way I could. I started by becoming a benefactor.

What role do you play at Aid to the Church in Need UK?

I work in the press department at least once a week, and have performed a number of functions there. These include updating records, proof reading text, providing visual displays for events, supporting appeals made in London, and in one case, my parish, actually making the appeal myself (4 masses). I will also be representing the charity in the body “Faith in Europe” in the New Year.

Why do you think people should support the work of Aid to the Church in Need?

A leading question. We, as Christians and Catholics, cannot ignore the suffering and torment of others throughout the World. They are in effect our brothers and sisters, and we cannot look away from their plight. We cannot stand aside and enjoy our own pleasures. ACN works in 140 countries throughout the World, and in many different ways. It is not a small organisation with limited impact. Over the last year it has spent around £7 million supporting those fleeing to the north of Iraq from Daesh (ISIS). This is but one, very important example.

Do you have a message for the persecuted Church?

Have faith. We will support you in your time of trouble.

Interview with an Aid to the Church In Need volunteer: Mervyn

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:14:00 +0000

Mervyn

Mervyn, tell us a bit about yourself...

Although I was born in Kenya some 86 years ago, my roots are in Goa, a former Portuguese possession on India's west coast (now part of India).

After completing my education, I took up employment in the Colonial Civil Service in Kenya, working there for nearly 20 years. Moved to the U.K. in 1966 following the Africanisation of my post in Kenya and worked in various private companies here for many years.

Have been an active member in my parish for nearly 50 years. In addition to volunteering with ACN, I still enjoy writing for magazines both here and in Kenya. Have also published two memoirs of my life and times in India, Kenya and the U.K. I have been married now for sixty three years, and my wife and I have been blessed with four children and eight grandchildren.

How long have you been volunteering at the charity?

More than 20 years!

How did you hear about the charity?

It was in the early 90’s that Neville Kyrke-Smith, the Charity’s National Director, made an appeal in our parish outlying the work of this Catholic charity. I was completely bowled over by Neville’s ‘art of gentle persuasion’ and enlisted in the “voluntary army” almost immediately; I can hardly believe I’ve now been with the charity for over 20 years, starting in rather “cramped” offices in Carshalton Road, Sutton, moving later to a brighter office in Times Square, and now in our own premises at Benhill Road, Sutton.

What role do you play at Aid to the Church in Need UK?

The charity has certainly grown since I first joined and, from a handful of volunteers in the early days, we now number some 15 most of whom work in the Trading department. Appeals made in various parishes around the country by Neville and other Area Secretaries, plus publicity of our work in the Catholic Press bring in a flood of requests from our regular supporters and others too. These are normally in the form of donations –both large and small, requests for Masses and orders for any number of religious and other articles available from our catalogue. This is where we, volunteers, come in. Hundreds of ‘thank you’ letters need to be sent out, orders for books and other items despatched etc. All this keeps us busy, in between cups of tea/coffee!

Volunteers work on different days on a rota basis but we all work as a team and certainly feel a sort of bonding with our benefactors and persecuted Christians around the world. The camaraderie among the staff and volunteers is simply wonderful and this in itself makes our job all the more worthwhile.

Another aspect of our voluntary work has been the privilege of meeting many of our distinguished guests notably at our Westminster event each year. This event is very popular and attracts several hundred supporters not only at the concelebrated Mass but at the talks in the hall that follow. Like many other volunteers, I have been very privileged to meet some of our distinguished guests from many countries. It is always interesting to hear first-hand accounts of the untold suffering their people endure and to remind ourselves of how lucky we are to live in relative peace.

I was also privileged to join two ACN pilgrimages to Walsingham some years ago and see at first hand the living faith of the pilgrims. Such occasions are always very uplifting. When I see how our charity has grown from that tiny ‘mustard seed’ planted many years ago by our Founder, Fr. Werenfried van Straatan, I can’t but thank God for the guiding hand of this saintly priest which is evident even today.

In the person of Colette, we are lucky to have a very friendly and caring ‘boss’ to work with, as also with her staff Deborah, Kerry and Bill.

However mundane or routine our work may be, I feel I echo the sentiments of all our volunteers when I say, ‘ we are only too happy to help in whatever way since, what little we are doing is, in a way - to quote the saintly Blessed Teresa of Calcutta-

“SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR GOD”

Why do you think people should support the work of Aid to the Church in Need?

A retiree had once described himself as being “rudderless in retirement” but went on to say,

“Please don’t suggest I take up golf or gardening; both bore me to tears”! Well, I wasn’t

in quite the same category but, like most retirees always wanted to give back to society what the world had given me. What better way than doing a voluntary job I thought?

Do you have a message for the persecuted Church?

I admire the courage and resilience displayed by our persecuted brethren despite the difficult situations they find themselves in. Their deep faith is an inspiration to us all, and I want them to know that they are not alone in their suffering -they remain in our thoughts and prayers always.

Priest describes escape from Daesh (ISIS) as a "miracle"

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 12:07:00 +0000

Fr Jacques Mourad

Father Jacques Mourad, the Syrian priest who escaped captivity last week after spending nearly six months in a Daesh (ISIS) prison in Qaratayn, Syria, has expressed his gratitude in a letter to Aid to the Church in Need.

Fr Mourad, who fled with the help of the friend on the back of a motorbike disguised as an Islamist fighter, described his liberation as a “miracle”.

He said: “And this miracle is not limited to the unforgettable moment when I was able to escape from the place of my captivity.

“If I have come to this moment, if the good Lord has been able to bring this about, then it is thanks to a series of steps which have involved many different partners within the universal Church – that is to say, the benefactors and the humanitarian organisations, of which you are one, and also our Church.”

Addressing benefactors of ACN directly, Fr Mourad thanked them for their support.

“Dear friends, throughout this difficult period you never ceased to show your solidarity with us, as a religious community living at the heart of this suffering country – suffering on every level: spiritual, material and human.”

ACN has supported the rebuilding of homes, help for displaced families and the care of the sick and disabled in Syria through the leadership of project partners like Fr Mourad and others.

Though Fr Mourad also acknowledged the suffering of Syrian Christians still continues, he expressed his absolute trust in the Lord.

He said: “Faced with the many, many sufferings that are our lot, but also with signs of God’s divine presence, we remain firm in our faith in God our Saviour, sure that he will never ever abandon us. Amen.”

If you would like to make a donation to help those suffering in Syria, you can do so on our website: www.acnuk.org/donate

Or by calling us on 020 8642 8668

Special visit to ACN

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:45:00 +0000

Today the ACN UK office received a very special gift from one of our good friends, Nick Goryachkin. Nick, the Executive Director of Blagovest Media, presented Neville and the team with a wonderful icon from the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St Petersburg, Russia.

ACN staff with Nick Goryachkin (third from left)

The Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra was established by Peter the Great as the first and the largest monastery of St Petersburg in 1710.

Famous for its four historical cemeteries, tourists still flock to visit the site where St Petersburg‘s aristocracy and the most outstanding people are buried, including Dostoevsky and Tchaykovsky.

The Skladen icon, set in a beautiful red velvet box, displays images on two folding panels of the Virgin Mary and of Christ Pantocrator. It was blessed by Russian Orthodox Bishop Nazary who has been Abbot of the Lavra (major monastery) of Alexander Nevsky, St Petersburg for 14 years and bishop of Viborg for the last seven.

Icon blessed by Russian Orthodox Bishop Nazary

Aid to the Church in Need has previously worked with Bishop Nazary to help fund the the Cultural and Inter-Denominational Centre for Dialogue.

The centre has since hosted a festival of Christian films as well as providing a space for discussion between different Christian groups.

Nick stopped by the ACN office after visiting the Anglican Bishop of Coventry to discuss a new film about reconciliation set to be filmed in the UK.

To read about ACN's previous work with the Russian Orthodox Church, visit: http://www.acnuk.org/key-projects.php/144/

You can also find us on Twitter at @acn_uk

ACN annual Westminster Event

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:40:00 +0000

ACN’s annual Westminster event will be held on 17^th October 2015 at Westminster Cathedral in London.

The Holy Mass will begin at 10.30am followed by an afternoon of talks in the Cathedral Hall. Invited guest speakers at the event include Melkite Greek Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo, Victoria Youhanna & Fr Douglas Bazi.

Tickets are currently available for benefactors and friends and can be purchased by calling ACN on 020 8642 8668 or through our website.

Visit our website and book early to avoid disappointment:http://ow.ly/QC4NS

Please Pray for the Kidnapped and Kidnappers

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:10:00 +0000

Around 160 Christians are thought to have been captured when extremist Islamist militia Daesh (ISIS) took over the town of Al Qaryatayn near Homs, Syria on Thursday 6^th August according to a priest working in the region. But speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, the charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians, Father Jihad Youssef that the exact number of hostages was unclear.

“But we do not know if all of the remaining Christians were taken as hostages by ISIS, or if some went into hiding. At the end of the week, some 30 Christians succeeded in fleeing from the town. Some are shepherds and they know the region. They fled to Homs.” The Syrian-Orthodox and Syrian-Catholic Bishops of Homs are currently seeking to resolve the problem through contacts, according to Fr Jihad.

In May 2015, one of Fr Jihad’s confreres, Fr Jacques Mourad, was kidnapped in Al Qaryatayn together with Deacon Boutros. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

“We have absolutely no information about Fr Jacques’ condition, or where he is,” said Fr Jihad. “We have tried everything. I do not know how the latest events in Al Qaryatayn will affect our brothers’ situation. If a solution can be found for all of the hostages, perhaps Fr Jacques and Deacon Boutros will be included.”

Fr Jihad also expressed his gratitude for the support ACN has provided for Christians in Syria. He said:

“ACN has done so much for us, especially in Al Qaryatayn. We thank the benefactors with all our heart. In particular, I now call on you to pray for our kidnapped brothers and the hostages of Al Qaryatayn. May God bring a change into the hearts of the kidnappers, so that they show mercy to the hostages.”

The charity ACN is particularly active in the Middle East. More than €12 million (£8.4 million) have been spent since the end of 2011 in assistance to the Christians in Syria and Iraq. Recently, ACN has set aside more than €2 million (£1.4 million) for emergency aid in Syria.

Iraqi bishops thank Aid to the Church in Need for building schools for Iraqi refugees.

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:00:00 +0000

Iraqi bishops have extended their thanks to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need for its part in setting up schools for refugee children. The schools were erected from prefabricated structures in two Chaldean dioceses and a Syriac-Catholic diocese for the children forced to flee from the terrorist organisation Daesh (ISIS). More than 7200 Christian children are now able to receive their education in what are now eight schools, taught by Christian teachers who also fled Daesh occupied towns. The buildings are also used for catechetical instruction and other church activities.

In a message to ACN, Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil expressed his gratitude to benefactors: “We would like to thank you for your kind support for our community during this difficult time, when thousands of Christian families were forced to leave their homes and properties due to the ISIS attack last June to August 2014.

“We are especially grateful for your help for our students in building 5 schools for them in our Archdiocese, the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, which were completed in the city of Ankawa on land owned by our archdioceses.”

The Chaldean Bishop of Zakho and Ammadeya, Rabban Al Qas, also thanked ACN, saying: “The Chaldean diocese of Zakho and Ammadeya will take full responsibility for the administration of 2 schools dedicated to internally displaced persons. Thank you so much for your kind help and caring love. We assure you of our prayers for our benefactors and ask for your prayers. May God bless you all with His care and love.”

ACN has provided more than 8 million euros in aid for persecuted Christians in Iraq since August 2014. As well as helping support the construction of school buildings, the aid has funded the purchase of temporary shelter and food provisions.

New school opening in Ankawa, Erbil, Iraq

St. Mary's School at Mar Elya Street (Sacred Heart Sisters)

For more information visit www.acnuk.org

6 August: a day of sorrow, but also the day that God saved us

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 08:21:00 +0000

On 6th August 2014, more than 120,000 Christians were forced to flee from their homes as militants from the terrorist organisation Daesh (ISIS) invaded Qaraqosh. The life of the church in Iraq was changed forever as thousands were made to live as destitute refugees inside or outside of the country. To commemorate the day, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is holding an international prayer event to remember those who... are still internally displaced within their homeland one year later.

Speaking to ACN, Baghdad-born Chaldean priest Father Douglas Bazi who works with Iraqi refugees in Erbil added his voice to the call for prayer: “The 6th of August is a day of sorrow, but also the day that God saved us. We are, after all, still alive. We will celebrate a mass. We cannot forget what happened. However, we will ask God to forgive the perpetrators and to change their thinking.”

ACN has been able to support Christian refugees in Iraq in many ways. Immediately following the events of 6th August last year, a delegation travelled to Iraq to assess the situation and since then about 7 million euros* have been spent to house and care for the people and construct a number of schools for refugee children. Today, on 6th August 2015, ACN asks for prayers for Christians in need in Iraq.

For more information visit www.acnuk.org

ACN compete in the British 10k London Run

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 14:11:00 +0000

ACN staff and friends did an excellent job this weekend as they participated in the British 10K London run despite the crowds and gloomy weather.

Aid to the Church in Need team members John Pontifex, who is ACN UK’s Head of Press and Information, Kathy Hodgson, Marie Foster and Juan Aguila completed the challenge in aid of raising money to support projects in Syria.

The team have so far raised nearly £2,700 towards their £3,000 target to help to provide emergency support for Christians and others in northern Syria.

The group from ACN were among more than 20,000 who ran past London landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square, before crossing the finish line at Whitehall, just past 10 Downing Street.

The ACN team would like to extend their thanks to all that have sponsored them so far, with one team member describing the amount raised to date as “absolutely astonishing”.

The money will go towards providing fuel, oil, gas, electricity and rental costs for displaced families in Aleppo and Hassake, two Syrian cities which have often been on the front-line of conflict between government and rebel forces.

For information about ACN’s work in Syria, visit www.acnuk.org/syriacrisis or go to https://www.justgiving.com/team-acn/

Kathy Hodgson & John Pontifex

Juan Aguila

ACN staff and friends to compete for a second time in the British10K London run this weekend.

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:02:00 +0000

Staff and friends of Aid to the Church in Need will be dusting off their running shoes again this year as they compete for the second year in a row in the British 10K London run.

ACN UK’s Head of Press and Information John Pontifex will be joined by supporters Kathy, Maria and Juan on Sunday 12^th July to raise money for suffering families in Syria.

Mr Pontifex, who has witnessed the suffering in Syria first hand and is running his fourth race for ACN, said the run was an important way to raise awareness as well as funds.

“The weather’s threatening rain just when we’re running so it’s going to be a bit of a challenge. We’re so close to our final fund-raising target so any last donations would be very gratefully received.”

Families in Syria affected by the violence have been forced to leave their homes and villages and it is thought that as many as 4 million people are internally displaced in the country.

Houses, schools and places of worship have been have been bombed as they are driven out by the Islamic terrorist organisation, Daesh (IS).

As a priority country, ACN has been able to offer emergency aid for displaced people in Syria including food, shelter and pastoral support.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, ACN provided more than £8.5 million (12 million euros) helping the Church in Syria and Iraq.

Marking the 15^th anniversary of the run this year, the route has been adapted to incorporate even more iconic London landmarks including Oxford Circus, St. James's Palace and Big Ben before finishing at Royal Horse Guards & Banqueting House after a final run past the Prime Minister’s residence in Downing Street.

Runners who complete the race will be awarded with a special medal commissioned to mark the anniversary described as “the best finishers medal of any road race I have ever seen in over 40 years of being involved in athletics” by Event Founder & Director Mike O’Reilly.

ACN has already reached more than 80% of £3,000 target in sponsorship to support future projects in Syria.

If you would like to make a contribution before Sunday’s run, please visit the ACN British 10K London Run 2015 page at https://www.justgiving.com/Team-ACN/ or text LHUU78 to 70070 to donate.

Fr Ziad Hilal remembers his kidnapped colleague, Fr Jacques Mourad, in an interview with ACN

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:44:00 +0000

Jesuit priest and key project partner Fr. Ziad Hilal, friend of kidnapped Fr. Jacques Mourad, visited the ACN UK offices last Friday and spoke movingly about his missing colleague.

Describing Fr. Mourad as a “figure of leadership” for both Christians and Muslims in Syria, he begged for his friend’s safe return.

He said: “Please, let him go free because he is a good man. He wanted to help the Syrian people.”

Fr. Mourad was kidnapped by armed masked men on 21 May along with a companion. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

Fr. Mourad had lived and worked at the monastery of Mar Elian in Qaryatayn and in the hours before his abduction, had sent an email to ACN thanking the charity and its benefactors for their ongoing support.

Since the end of 2011, ACN has been able to donate more £71,000 (100,000 euros) to help displaced Syrians at the monastery of Mar Elian and has provided more than £8.5 million (12 million euros) in aid for the Church in Syria and Iraq.

Please continue to pray for the safe return of Fr. Jacques Mourad and his companion. If you share his story, you can tweet us at @acn_uk using the hashtag #PrayingForFatherMourad.

ACN Summer Bake Off

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 10:36:00 +0000

Staff at the ACN office had their own Summer Bake Off competition yesterday with a variety of treats raffled to raise money for persecuted Christians in Syria. The sensational selection was judged by National Director Neville Kyrke –Smith and Head of Press and Information John Pontifex who certainly enjoyed their roles as official cake-tasters!

If you love to bake and think your cakes taste delicious, then why not organise your own “Bake Off” competition with family, friends, colleagues or in your parish to fundraise for persecuted Christians and especially Christians in Syria at this time?

Once you have completed your Bake Off, you can e-mail us at acn@acnuk.org and send your proceeds to our donation page or you can post your cheque with a note to UK Head Office (Sutton, Surrey) or to the Scottish Office (Motherwell).

We’d love to see your photos or videos of your “Bake off” event too! Send them to Facebook and Twitter at @acn_uk.

Team ACN!

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:08:00 +0000

There is only one month to go until Team ACN take on the 2015 10k London Run this July! The money raised by our ACN staff and friends will go towards supporting suffering Christians in Syria, something head of Press and Information John Pontifex has witnessed first-hand.

“I will be running the 2015 British 10k London Run for Aid to the Church in Need (UK) because I want to support families suffering in Syria” – John Pontifex

By giving as little as £3 Aid to the Church in Need is able to provide emergency help for families who have been affected by the crisis in Syria. With your support we are able to continue to send basic aid including food, shelter and medicine.

Do something amazing for Syria this summer and support our ACN team by texting LHUU78 to 70070 to make a £3 donation or visit https://www.justgiving.com/Team-ACN/

Hour of Prayer at The Courtauld Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:07:00 +0000

The Courtauld Gallery of the Courtauld Institute, one of the smaller, yet outstanding art collections in London, granted special permission on Monday for its ground floor to be used as a setting for prayer and devotion.

We were invited by organiser Maria Cristina, a gallery lecturer and artist and specialist in Christian Iconography, to join the group as they gathered to use the Christian art held in the gallery for their original purpose – worship.

Maria Cristina spoke movingly about a select number of paintings and private devotional panels from the late medieval and early renaissance period before leading the group in saying the Rosary. Speaking of the religious paintings, she told us: “They are not precious objects that will fetch huge prices at auction, they are objects made for prayer and to lead us in prayer.”

The group, made up of about 10 worshippers, listened with interest as the history and symbolism of each piece was explained by Maria Cristina before joining in prayer. The experience of using such ancient and beautiful depictions of the life of Christ and of the Virgin to say the Rosary was one that brought a new dimension to such a well-known meditation. Though not all of the images directly represented the mysteries of the Rosary in isolation, images within the collection certainly reflected different narratives of familiar Gospel stories, bringing an excellent focus to the event.

When asked how the collection was being used when saying the Rosary, Maria Cristina replied: “The moment you start exploring [the painting], it begins to unfold the meaning of the Mystery.” Father Peter Burns of the diocese of Westminster agreed, adding: “When you’re praying it brings meaning out of the picture.”

A wonderful and innovative way to witness the faith in the heart of London, the success of the event will almost certainly mean the exercise is repeated. As guests, we were struck by the generosity of the group who attended the event in aid of persecuted Christians in the Middle East at the Courtauld gallery and we continue to keep all of our kind benefactors in our prayers. Not only was the occasion a celebration of the rediscovery the richness of our Christian heritage in the museum, but a display of the compassion of our charitable supporters.

Visit us at: http://www.acnuk.org/

Twitter: @acn_uk

Photo of Syrian refugee child, Deir al Ahmar, Lebanon

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 20:39:00 +0000

Border report from Lebanon

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 20:11:00 +0000

The Damascus to Beirut road is remarkably busy - despite three bombings in five days in or near Beirut. The Lebanese security forces have caught bombers and potential bombers, foiling major attacks. The check points have been increased and strengthened. Yet, this is almost nothing compared to the stories of those coming out of Syria.

This evening I spoke with two priests from Syria and some of their family members. One priest said that two of his brothers, Elias and Andrew, had been seized two years ago and that nothing had been heard of them since. A couple who had fled Homs spoke of how some Christians within Syria had started moving back to the Homs district, but that bombings still continue in the centre of Homs despite the city being reclaimed by Assad's forces. Other reclaimed Christian towns are similar - such as Maaloula, where there have been explosions since it was retaken from fundamentalist Islamists who had destroyed so much of the town.

The other priest I spoke to had just arrived in Beirut from Damascus. He told me: "It is so very difficult to live, to exist...to survive. Even today we had attacks....everyday there are at least eight or twelve bomb attacks."

I listened and could hardly find words to say. All I could do was to assure them of daily prayers for them. I added that we at Aid to the Church in Need are standing with them...and that we would continue to be with them to help rebuild faith and hope when peace breaks through the madness of conflict.

Bishop Nabil Chucrallah El Hajj asked in Tyre (Sour) earlier today: "Please pray first - and above all...pray, please, that Christians can build peace in this region. Christians are paying a heavy price in this the Holy Land where Our Lord, his Mother and his disciples came. Thank you for all you do - we need you at ACN and all our Christian brothers and sisters to sustain the Church."

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director ACN UK

Beirut, Lebanon
26.06.14

Lebanese Christians caring for traumatised and despairing refugees

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:16:00 +0000

I stood in the crowded corridor of the St Antoine, Dispensary, Roueisset, near Beirut. Small children cuddled up sitting on their mother's knees, waiting for vital inoculations. The families waiting at this busy centre are mostly Syrian but I spoke to a young Iraqi mother, with her three children. Sr Hanan, who runs the Dispensary, told me that more Iraqis have arrived in the last few weeks - after the frightening outbreak of conflict in Iraq. Now, too, more Lebanese mothers are coming to this clinic - as they are poor, due to prices increasing for housing and as many jobs have been taken by Syrians who work for cheaper wages.

As I squeeze my way out of the Dispensary, a terrified teenage girl from Aleppo is sobbing uncontrollably - shaking and muttering to herself, her mother tries to comfort her as she leads her in to see the psychiatrist. Sr Hanan explains that there are so many cases - children, teenagers and adults - who need help and trauma counselling after what they have seen, lived through and suffered.

Later in the day, in the Bekaa Valley near Baalbeck - where Hezbollah is visibly present - I meet Syrian refugees in their tents on a camp site at Deir Al Ahmar. One deaf man, Abed, is living with wife, Adla, six daughters and four boys in their basic tent. I sit on a cushion talking with the family. There is a shortage of water, after a dry winter, and the conditions are barely survivable. Adla tells me: "It is not a life here. My husband is deaf and cannot work. The state helped us in Syria, but we receive nothing here. We want to go back when we can... but now we need help."

Sr Micheline and all the Good Shepherd Sisters are working with a small group of people to help. Aid to the Church in Need and others are supporting their work of compassion at this crucial time. Sr Micheline thanked all who help - and, as she stood in front of a picture of the Good Shepherd, painted by a Muslim, she added: "We, and all the children, pray for you who give us food and medicine and help fund activities for the children. May the Good Shepherd bless you!"

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director of ACN UK

Beirut, Lebanon, 25.06.14

Photo attached of Abed & Aldo's family with refugees in Deir al Ahmar

Sign the Holy Land Petition

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Fri, 09 May 2014 14:29:00 +0000

Watch this video to find out more about the situation in the Holy Land. To sign the petition visit www.acnuk.org/holylandpetition

Let us go to the House of God

"Palestinian seminarians are not able to attend the ceremonies in the Holy Sepulchre [which are held] on Saturdays in Lent," we were told by Fr Jamal when we visited Beit Jala Seminary near Bethlehem.Every time a Palestinian wants to travel to Jerusalem they need a permit to pass through the West Bank Barrier – a 420-mile structure ostensibly built to prevent a repeat of the attacks on civilians that occurred during the second intifada.
Permits can be difficult to obtain and while they are given out more freely for Easter and Christmas not everyone who wants a permit gets one, so Christians can be deprived of worshipping at the place where Life ultimately overcame death – even though they only live a few miles away.
And access to the Holy Places affects those on both sides of the security wall. While visiting the Holy Land, ACN staff were told about a Messianic Jew living in Israel who went to Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations – but was arrested upon his return, as it is illegal for Israeli citizens to visit certain parts of the Palestinian Territories.
Aid to the Church is asking you to sign our petition so that Christians can have better access to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Our Lord Jesus Christ died and rose for our salvation.
Please pray that Christians can have their faith renewed by being able to visit more easily the place where Jesus triumphed over the tomb. Our Petition will be given to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, when Pope Francis visits the Holy Land in May 2014. Read about more reasons to sign the Petition

Pope speaks of God's mercy & blesses the work of ACN

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 08:58:00 +0000

In his address Pope Francis, in summary, asked this morning "How can we say that the Church is holy, when it is made up of sinners...myself included?" He then spoke of God's overwhelming love and mercy - "We are all welcome - even the greatest sinner - as God's mercy is so great."

The Holy Father then welcomed the international pilgrims of Aid to the Church in Need. Pope Francis spoke of the work of ACN where the Church suffers oppression, discrimination and persecution. He invoked his blessing on the work and benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need and encouraged us to continue this work.

In thanks & prayer

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Pope Francis in St Peter's Square 02 10 13

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 08:38:00 +0000

Photograph of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square.

Prayer pledges letter from Aid to the Church in Need UK presented just afterwards.

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Pope Francis 02 10 13

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 08:07:00 +0000

Pope Francis has arrived in St Peter's Square. More than 600 ACN friends & benefactors have been welcomed in general announcement. We are here in prayer and pilgrimage - united with the suffering and needy Body of Christ around the world. Please join with us in prayer & charity for all the persecuted, oppressed & those fleeing violence and oppression.

A pledge of thousands of prayers is being presented by ACN

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Pilgrimage of prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 14:18:00 +0000

More than 500 benefactors & friends of Aid to the Church in Need are travelling this week (1st-5^th October) to Rome, from around the world, to pray for suffering Christians and dedicate the work anew in a special anniversary year. Pilgrims are carrying with them their prayers and intentions, especially for the suffering peoples of the Middle East and for all Christian communities enduring attacks and oppression in so many parts of the world – such as Pakistan, Nigeria and the Central African Republic.

On 2 October, Pope Francis will welcome the participants in a General Audience. Masses and meetings with Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and with Mons. Hon Tai-Fai Savio, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, are also planned.

This special event celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth year of Father Werenfried van Straaten, founder of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI granted the charity the status of a Pontifical Foundation.

Pilgrims from seventeen national offices will gather in prayer, for talks and at Masses as the charity consecrates the work anew under Our Lady.

As Fr Werenfried once wrote of the work of Aid to the Church in Need for persecuted, suffering and poor Christians:

“Our Work gives you the possibility of taking part in the sufferings of Jesus. Across every frontier, we take something that belongs to you – a part of your heart, a cloth to dry their tears – to those countries where the Master is again making his Way of the Cross, where he hangs on the Calvaries of this century. Through us, you are able to lighten his Way of the Cross like Veronica or Simon of Cyrene, and stand at the foot of his Cross like Mary or John. Nothing is more precious than to console our abandoned Jesus, present in his persecuted brothers and sisters.”

United in prayer and thanks -

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Egypt - hope and prayers

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 08:29:00 +0000

As celebrations erupted in Tahrir Square, Cairo, last night there was hope amongst Christians and seemingly most Egyptians that a positive change will now come about. These hopes were reflected when I was speaking to Bishop Joannes Zakaria in Luxor yesterday afternoon - he said; "It will take a long time, but I hope we will now see positive changes. The use of religion here in politics has been like in your Middle Ages - it took you a long time to develop your democratic system."

“We are a missionary Church, laying down the rocks for the future, for our people. It is the work of the Holy Spirit,” said Bishop Joannes Zakaria. He is certainly trusting in God, building for the poor and for their future. He added: “I trust in God... and your prayers and help. We pray for you!”

At this critical time - reports of some attacks on churches in the regions have come in overnight - please continue in prayer for peace in the Middle East, for Christians and all peoples.

Thank you. Deo Gratias.

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Pray for the people of Egypt

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 07:56:00 +0000

In Luxor last night a military helicopter flew overhead - I heard local Egyptians shout "Sisi! Sisi!" - the name of the head of the military, welcoming the intervention. Protestors were gathering on a hot evening. Pro and anti-Morsi groups shouted their way past the residence of Bishop Joannes Zakaria, the Coptic Catholic Bishop of Luxor. Later, near the centre of Luxor, I saw men fetching clubs from a mosque to go to fight, bricks lying in the road and crowds gathering. Police were trying to intervene - the flashing lights on their vehicles could be seen at the end of one street - and then ambulances could be heard as the injured were attended to. Local media have confirmed some shooting took place, but as yet there is no figure for casualties.

Sadly, this was the scene in much of Egypt as the deadline for military intervention comes later today at 5pm, Tuesday 3rd June. The will of the majority is for change - as the Tamaroud petition of more than 22 million showed and as the huge numbers of anti-Morsi protesters witnessed. Yet the problem is that the fanatical Muslim Brotherhood has been pushed into a corner - and President Morsi upped the temperature further last night in a rallying call to his supporters saying that he would be prepared to die.

As Bishop Joannes Zakaria switched off all lights early last night and bolted the doors, I asked him if he had a contingent plan. "If people come to my door, I answer. I am here to greet all and to speak with them. I am prepared!"

On the Feast of St Thomas, let us join in this same faith - and pray for all our Egyptian brothers and sisters.

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Luxor Wednesday July 3rd 2013

Egypt - crisis & hope

noreply@blogger.com (Aid to the Church in Need) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 14:50:00 +0000

I passed the stage this morning where protests will continue tonight. Alongside there is anti-Morsi graffiti on the governate building where the police are stationed. And speaking to people - Muslims & Christians - there is a feeling and expectation that President Morsi must go. The queues for fuel, with more and more closed garages, add to the sense that this cannot continue.

"We have seen and experienced what the Muslim Brotherhood are like and we don't want them here in Egypt," was a statement to me this morning. Another Egyptian added: "It is good you are here at this time of revolution - you can tell people what it is like for us!'

Whatever happens over the next days and weeks, the faith and hope of our fellow Christians here in Egypt can only encourage us to help them through this time of crisis. One priest, Fr Francis, told me: "We endure very difficult times in Egypt now because of Islamic fundamentalists. Many people find it difficult to get essentials for life and many are very poor. Catechism and teaching children peace is important. Please remember us in prayer and inform others so that they understand how difficult and desperate it is for many Christians here and in the Middle East. We need your compassion. We pray for all at ACN and all our friends in Christ."

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Egypt 02 07 13