Regina Lynch, President (middle), ACN International, with other colleagues, and Pope Leo at the Vatican
Regina Lynch, executive chair of the international organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN International), said peace and religious freedom are interconnected, revealing that the organization provides emergency aid in areas where Christians face extreme persecution.
According to the international aid organization, religious persecution around the world is more widespread than ever before. In conversations with the Vatican, Lynch revealed that the increasing number of authoritarian governments trying to control their societies contributes to widespread oppression.
“When I'm in Northern Nigeria or other areas where terrible atrocities have occurred, I see how much it means to people to know they are not alone. They understand that we represent far-flung people who are praying for them. This gives them tremendous strength and hope, reminding them that they belong to the one body of Christ – a deep source of comfort.”
Lynch said modern technology has also contributed to making the job easier. Lynch said the world has seen a rise in jihadism since the September 11, 2001 attacks, with followers of many religions counted among its victims.
Also read: Mitigating the security risks associated with dissent on “Christian genocide” in Nigeria
According to him, ACN's work consists of concrete projects funded entirely by private donations, without government or public support. Among the approximately 5,500 ongoing initiatives are missionary efforts in poor areas where the Church lacks the 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.
When Lynch travels to different regions to assess local conditions and develop ACN projects, she hears powerful messages from local communities and is deeply inspired by the faith of Catholics. “Sometimes they know they may have to pay the ultimate price, and yet they remain strong in their faith.”
According to Lynch, one of ACN's essential functions is to raise global awareness of religious persecution. “I remember a trip to Iraq with Pope Francis in March 2021, when I told some Catholic friends where I was going, they looked at me in surprise and said, 'Why Iraq? That's a Muslim country!' They didn’t know that there had been Christians since the early days of the church.”
