Aid to the Church in Need says peace, religious freedom are inter-related

Regina Lynch, the executive president of the international organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN International), said peace and religious freedom are inter-related, disclosing that the organisation provides emergency assistance in regions where Christians face extreme persecution.

According to the international aid organisation, religious persecution across the world is far more widespread that it used to be in the past. Lynch in a conversation with the Vatican disclosed that the growing number of authoritarian governments seeking to control their societies contributes to widespread persecution.

“When I am in northern Nigeria or other areas that have suffered horrific atrocities, I see how much it means for people to know they are not alone. They understand that we represent people from faraway places who are praying for them. That gives them tremendous strength and hope, reminding them that they belong to the one Body of Christ—a profound source of comfort.”

Lynch stated that modern technology has also contributed to making the task much easier. Lynch added that the world has seen a rise in jihadism since the attacks of September 11, 2001, with followers of many faiths counted among its victims.

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According to her, ACN’s work includes concrete projects funded entirely by private donations, without government or public support. Among the roughly 5,500 ongoing initiatives are missionary efforts in impoverished regions where the Church lacks resources to build churches or seminaries, or to provide formation for sisters and catechists. The organization also supports biblical, educational, and pastoral programs that nurture faith.

As Lynch travels to various regions to assess local conditions and develop ACN projects, she hears powerful messages from local communities and is deeply inspired by the faith of the Catholics she meets. “Sometimes they know that they may pay the ultimate price, and yet they remain strong in their faith.”

According to Lynch, one of ACN’s urgent tasks is to raise global awareness about religious persecution. “I remember traveling with Pope Francis to Iraq in March 2021, When I told some Catholic friends where I was going, they looked at me rather puzzled and said, ‘Why Iraq? That’s a Muslim country!’ They didn’t know that there have been Christians since the early days of the Church.”