KIRCHE IN NOT
KIRCHE IN NOT (Aid to the Church in Need) - An international Catholic aid organization
editHistory and Foundation
editKIRCHE IN NOT, also known as Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), was founded on December 25, 1947, by Father Werenfried van Straaten in Tongerlo. Originally established as a solidarity action for the German post-war displaced persons, the aid organization has since developed into a global organization that supports persecuted, oppressed, and suffering Christians in around 140 countries[1][2][4].
Mission and Values
editThe main mission of KIRCHE IN NOT is to provide pastoral assistance to Christians who are unable to fulfill their pastoral duties due to persecution, poverty, or other emergencies. The organization focuses on supporting projects that promote the evangelization efforts of the Catholic Church worldwide. This includes the training and education of seminarians, priests, and religious, the construction and renovation of churches and training facilities, media apostolate, the publication of religious literature, and the broadcasting of religious radio programs[2][3].
Key Products and Services
edit- Pastoral Initiatives: Support for pastoral programs and activities.
- Religious Education: Funding for seminars, novitiates, and scholarships.
- Media Apostolate: Promotion of Catholic radio, television stations, and social media.
- Religious Publications: Publication of the Bible and other religious literature.
- Construction and Renovation: Support for the construction and renovation of churches, chapels, and other church facilities.
- Transport and Livelihood Assistance: Provision of vehicles for pastoral work and livelihood assistance for religious communities.
- Mass Intentions: Support through Mass stipends[3].
Sustainability Goals and Initiatives
editKIRCHE IN NOT is committed to long-term and sustainable solutions to strengthen communities in need. This includes the reconstruction of war-damaged churches, such as in Syria, and support for Christians in crisis regions, for example, in Iraq and Ukraine. The organization also works on ecumenical projects to promote reconciliation with other Christian communities, such as the Russian Orthodox Church[1][2][4].
Structure and Funding
editKIRCHE IN NOT is funded exclusively through donations and is recognized as a foundation of papal law. The international headquarters is located in Königstein im Taunus, Germany, and there are national sections in 23 countries. In 2023, donations from approximately 360,000 donors worldwide raised 143.7 million euros, which were used for over 5,500 projects[1][2][4].
Public Relations and Donation Seal
editThe organization informs through various media and publications, such as the newsletter "Echo der Liebe," about the situation of the Church in need and calls for assistance. KIRCHE IN NOT has received the donation seal from the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI), which underscores the transparency and trustworthiness of the organization[2].
Sources:
edit- 1 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirche_in_Not
- 2 - https://www.kirche-in-not.de/kirche-in-not/das-ist-kirche-in-not/
- 3 - https://acninternational.org/de/foerderung/antragsverfahren/
- 4 - https://www.erzdioezese-wien.at/site/home/nachrichten/article/121639.html
- 5 - https://www.kirche-in-not.de/kontakt/