The Charism of ACN

Introduction The pontifical foundation “Aid to the Church in Need” started out in 1947 as a charity under the name “Oostpriesterhulp” in the Premonstratensian Abbey of Tongerlo (Belgium) – inspired by Pope Pius XII and set up by the initiative and energy of a canon of this abbey, Father Werenfried van Straaten. The organisation initially provided temporary relief, spiritual and material help to priests and faithful displaced as a result of the Second World War in a service marked out by a spirit of reconciliation. From these beginnings a worldwide pastoral charity has developed in this service to the Church in need. Inspiration and spirituality, which have shaped the association from the beginning and over the years through the realisation of the mission entrusted to it, are reflected especially in this text about the “Charism of ACN”. ACN’s mission and charism were reaffirmed by the establishment of the charity as a public foundation of pontifical right in 2011 with the Chirograph of Pope Benedict XVI. ACN is therefore a pastoral charity, which, through prayer, sacrifice, evangelisation and active charity – expressed in its leitmotif “prayer, information, action” – provides both spiritual and material help and support throughout the world, especially where the Church is persecuted, oppressed and hindered in the fulfilment of its mission or where for the fulfilment of its mission it is lacking the necessary resources.