Africa The African continent has been a priority region for ACN for many years and continued to be so in 2024. One of the biggest and persistent trouble spots is the Sahel region, where jihadist terrorist groups have further intensified their activities. Countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where millions of people are already displaced by terrorist violence, have been particularly hard hit. For this reason, our foundation continues to provide aid to this region.
The spiral of violence in Africa seems to have no end. In 2024, it was once again the continent with the highest number of murdered priests and church workers worldwide. Furthermore, priests and reli- gious figures in several African countries have again fallen victim to kidnappings in recent times. This is a perfidious means of exerting pressure that terrorists and other criminals often use to advance their demands. Nigeria alone recorded more than 11 abducted priests during the reporting year. Despite all the dangers and crises, Africa remains a continent of hope for the Catho- lic Church. This is because the number of believers is growing. Almost one in five Catholics in the world now lives in Africa. The high number of religious vocations also offers hope: more than one in eight priests, almost one in seven religious sis- ters and almost a third of all seminarians worldwide live on the African continent. All of this is encouraging for the future. After all, the Church remains a steadfast source of support, standing by the people in times of hunger, violence and political instability, and offering aid and comfort where governments fall short.
» In Africa, priests are in great danger of becoming victims of murder or kidnapping. «
ACN has established a comprehensive framework for its aid in Africa. Our main focus is on promoting the training and further education of priests, religious and lay people. In view of the increasing violence, we are also helping to further develop the skills of priests and reli- gious to care for severely traumatised people. In addition, we provide financial assistance for the purchase of off-road vehicles and support the construction and reconstruction of churches, chapels and church facilities.
The parish hall in the Diocese of El-Obeid, Sudan, destroyed by rocket attacks.
ACN Activity Report 2024 | 49 Africa |
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