Christians are a small minority in Turkey. With priests serving the small number of scattered faithful, Mass stipends provided by ACN are essential support.
“We do not forget you when we ascend to the Lord’s altar,” writes Fr Massimiliano Testi, one of 26 priests in the Apostolic Vicariate of Istanbul to recently receive Mass stipends from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Turkey was once an ancient centre of Christianity, but today Christians are a tiny minority— “only 0.1%,” says Fr Massimiliano, who is originally from Italy. Not only are Catholics a small number but according to Fr Massimiliano “they are scattered across a vast territory. Here in Turkey, we priests are few, and we are unable to reach everybody.” In this context, where Catholic communities are often unable to support their priests by themselves, Mass offerings provided by ACN are of essential importance.
This is the case for one priest who serves a parish mainly consisting of “refugee families and some students from Africa”. The priest, who asked not to be identified, explains how important Mass stipends provided by the foundation are for his parish: “We don’t receive any local aid to maintain the parish. That’s why your help is extremely important to maintain our religious community and also our parish.” Despite their own modest means, the community helps support some needy families.
Fr Seraphin Kazadi in Ankara faces similar challenges. In addition to the parish in the Turkish capital, Fr Seraphin is also responsible for the university chaplaincy in the city of Karabük. Most of the 80 or so Catholic students are from abroad, and Fr Seraphin has to rent a hall to celebrate Mass due to the lack of an available church. The Mass stipends are not only vital in assisting Fr Seraphin with the costs of travelling and renting the hall but are also used to “support and run this chaplaincy for foreign students studying at Karabük University”.
Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro conveyed the gratitude of the Apostolic Vicariate of Istanbul, emphasising that ACN’s benefactors, through their Mass offerings, not only have Masses celebrated for their intentions but also provide crucial support to priests in Turkey: “I want to express my deepest gratitude for the support you have provided, which we exchange through heartfelt prayers.”
In 2024, ACN provided Mass stipends to over 40,000 priests, including to those ministering in some of the most difficult conditions around the world.
