Cardinal Kurt Koch, international president of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), has called on the pontifical foundation to continue to bear witness to the truth and beauty of the Gospel, with joy and courage. Speaking to a meeting of ecclesiastical assistants of the national offices of ACN, the Swiss cardinal defined the nature of the Church as intrinsically missionary:
“The Church as a whole is dedicated to the transmission of the faith and to mission, though only if it not only proclaims the Word of God but is itself a place where God is present, so that people may experience that the Church exists first and foremost ‘for God’s sake’. It is not an end in itself, but exists so that a glimpse of God may emerge in the world. From its very inception, Christianity has understood itself as a religion entrusted with a universal mission addressed to all people and nations.”
The ecumenism of the martyrs according to Cardinal Kurt Koch
The prelate explained that this mission can only be carried out by individuals prepared to convey personal witness, emphasizing that Christianity remains the most persecuted religion in the world today:
“Bearing witness to the truth and beauty of the Gospel remains the mission of Christians today. The secret of this mission lies in a convincing Christian life and in sharing what has been experienced in faith. In the presence of the ecclesiastical assistants from the charity ‘Aid to the Church in Need’, it is particularly fitting to recall that the most credible witnesses to the faith and the most convincing interpreters of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the martyrs – that is, those Christians who have laid down their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ.”
“This harrowing reality not only presents a major challenge to showing compassionate solidarity with persecuted Christians, but also opens up the possibility that the Church’s mission can be carried out today in ecumenical fellowship. For today, all Christian churches and ecclesial communities have their martyrs, and the blood that the martyrs shed for Christ today does not divide us Christians, but unites us.”
Cardinal Koch emphasized that fear must not guide the Church’s efforts, but rather the joy of the Gospel passed on through personal witness and credible living.
Rome gathering and private audience with Pope Leo XIV
The meeting of ACN ecclesiastical assistants took place in Rome from 7 to 11 September and included a private audience with Pope Leo XIV. Over 20 assistants gathered to pray and meet with high dignitaries of the Roman Curia, including Cardinal Koovakad, president of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue; Cardinal Tagle, president of the Dicastery for Evangelisation; and Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, sostituto of the Secretary of State.
The gathering also served to introduce Fr. Friedrich Bechina, who will assume the role of assistant to the International Office of ACN in Königstein, Germany, succeeding Fr. Anton Lässer after more than three years in the position.
