At the beatification of two Albanian martyrs on 16 November 2024 in Shkodër.
The Franciscan sisters of Bilisht at prayer.
On 16 November, the church in the city of Shkodër beatified two priests, Luigi Paliq and Gjon Gazulli, who had suffered martyrdom during the communist era. ACN representatives also took part in the ceremony. Bishop Simon Kulli of Sapë emphasised, “These two Blesseds, along with 38 other Albanian martyrs, are a great example of living faith, and of how nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Their resistance to persecution has been an inspiration for the Church in Albania, which is back on its feet after years of oppression and suffering of priests, religious sisters and laypeople.” Unwavering in faith: Beatification of Albanian priests
The country is currently experiencing a deep crisis, which has led to a wave of emigration, particularly among the younger population. The exodus is having a dramatic impact on the country’s economic growth, which is also being felt by the Church. The local Church not only suffers from material hardships, but above all from a lack of local priests and religious vocations to ensure pastoral care. For this reason, the Church is still urgently dependent on help from abroad. ACN supports all six dioceses in the country, for example, by promoting the training of prospective priests, by providing vehicles for pastoral care, through renovation aid and through Mass stipends for priests and subsistence aid for religious sisters. We also support youth pastoral care to help young people better understand their faith, deepen it and build a solid foundation for their lives.
Pastoral work of the Christian scout movement “Scout Europa”.
ACN Activity Report 2024 | 75 Europe – Albania |
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