Donations amounting to 81 million euros and 5089 projects for the Church in 137 countries: it was the balance sheet of "Aid to the Church in Need" (ACN) for 2006. "It was a good year, or rather, it was one of the best in the sixty years of history of our activity". With those words, the international president of ACN, Hans-Peter Röthlin, commented the balance sheet of 2006, by thanking benefactors in the 17 countries where the organization is present with national secretaries. The benefactors contributed to the support of the Church through aggregate donations amounting to 81 million euros. They supported the Church wherever it was prevented to fulfil its mission, threatened by persecution or poverty. The needy priests received over 1.5 million Holy Mass intentions. Over 16,500 seminarians were helped for their studies in preparation to priesthood, with the aim of supporting their preparation and anchoring them to faith. An important role was also played by seclusion monasteries: 180 of them were supported, over 100 of which in Western Europe. Among other subjects: the building and maintenance of churches, chapels, convents and seminars (29.8%), the supply of means of transport to missionaries (5.1%), support to mass media inspired by Christian principles (3.2%). (To be continued)
