Aid to the Church in Need warns escalating violence threatens survival of Middle East Christians

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has expressed deep concern over the security and humanitarian challenges posed by renewed violence in the Middle East, warning that the spiral of conflict could threaten the region’s already fragile Christian communities and even bring an end to the Christian presence in the Middle East if the pressures exceed their capacity to endure.

Regina Lynch, executive president of ACN, told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that the desire to preserve the historic Christian presence in the Middle East and prevent its disappearance is self-evident. She said any new war would come at a heavy cost, one borne first and foremost by civilians, especially Christians, who are often among the weakest and least able to defend themselves.

A growing challenge in Lebanon

Lynch said the greatest concern at present is focused on Lebanon, where the challenge is worsening as thousands of people are already being displaced, according to ACN teams working on the ground.

“The Lebanese, like all peoples, long for peace and hope for a chance to help their country recover from the many challenges it faces. But once again, they find themselves the victims of renewed conflict,” she said.

A catastrophic situation in Gaza

In the Holy Land, Lynch described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as still catastrophic. She warned that any further obstruction of aid deliveries would place the resilient Catholic parish there, along with thousands of people who depend on its assistance, at grave risk.

In the West Bank, where many Christian families rely on tourism as a main source of income, Lynch said renewed instability threatens their livelihoods at a time when they had been hoping for an increase in pilgrims and visitors during the Easter season.

Prayer, solidarity, and hope

For decades, Aid to the Church in Need has supported Christian communities in the Middle East. Lynch affirmed that the foundation will continue its work, while calling for prayer and solidarity.

“Despite the difficult circumstances, parishes and religious communities continue distributing food, running schools, sheltering displaced families, and promoting reconciliation as much as possible,” she said.

Lynch also highlighted the strength of faith and perseverance shown by Middle Eastern Christians despite centuries of persecution and discrimination. She added: “It is true that many have left, but others remain. We know many of them. Their faith is firm and alive. Their presence in these countries is a wonderful and steadfast seed of faith, and indeed a challenge to our own faith.”

Most important investment

According to the latest statistics issued by ACN, funding allocated to the Middle East accounted for 17.5% of the foundation’s total aid. In this regard, Lynch stressed that ACN’s investments are not limited to buildings and projects. Rather, the human person remains its priority and most important investment.

Lynch said that as Christians, the ACN workers’ hope does not fail, especially because they have learned so much from their experience with Middle Eastern Christians, who offer a living example of perseverance and endurance amid hardship without losing hope.

This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.