<p><!-- BEGIN THEIA POST SLIDER --></p>
<p> <br />
</p>
<div>
<p>The news service of EWTN News currently operates from the Catholic University in Erbil, a city in northern Iraq.</p>
</p></div>
<div>
<p>March 25 marks the third anniversary of ACI MENA, the Association for Catholic Information in the Middle East and Northern Africa, CNA and the Register’s Arabic-language news partner. </p>
<p>A service of EWTN News, ACI MENA was established in 2022 and currently operates from the Catholic University in Erbil, a city in northern Iraq. </p>
<p>Since its founding, ACI MENA has established itself as a trusted news source, committed to shedding light on the struggles of Middle Eastern Christians. In a short time, the news agency has become their voice, highlighting their resilience, creativity, and determination, showcasing their rich religious and cultural heritages.</p>
<p><b>Gaza</b></p>
<p>Last year was marked by dramatic events across the region, and ACI MENA<b> </b>provided in-depth coverage of the suffering of Christians in Gaza and the Holy Land. The agency drew attention to<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4613/rosaaa-knays-alkds-fy-rsal-almylad-noasil-alsla-ontalb-bokf-alnar__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuHo9QMB8%24" target="null"> the prayers of the Church</a> and its faithful for peace and their<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4215/aaamun-aal-hrb-ghzw-almsyhywon-ytmswkon-balrgaaa-oalknys-tdaam-smodhm__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuK2TmAKo%24" target="null"> unwavering hope,</a> despite the devastating<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/3331/msyhywo-ghzw-yaaanon-alhrb-tkhtf-hya-krab-30-momnana__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuEXXNN5Q%24" target="null"> toll of war.</a> It also shed light on the efforts of<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4823/mdyr-karytas-fy-ghzw-noasil-ghodna-ldaam-almsyhywyn-oaaaad-alaaamar__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuHMntCRs%24" target="null"> Catholic relief organizations</a> to support those who remain amid a<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/2868/ghzw-tfkd-2-percent-mn-msyhywyha-oslaun-khasw-lshfyaathm__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORucs9rlI0%24" target="null"> sharp decline in the Christian population.</a></p>
<p>The agency captured the moment when Gaza’s Christians breathed a sigh of relief at the announcement of the ceasefire,<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4831/alyom-ybky-msyhywo-ghzw-mrwtayn__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuHHGlHSU%24" target="null"> weeping twice</a> — once in joy for the war’s end and once in sorrow for its victims. ACI MENA also followed Pope Francis’ continuous calls for peace and<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/2926/atsalun-yomyw-mn-albaba-frnsys-matha-ykolu-lmsyhywy-ghz__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORumkN3MEA%24" target="null"> his unwavering spiritual support</a> for the Church in Gaza, even<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/5069/daamun-rohyw-mstmrw-albaba-frnsys-ytwsl-braayw-ghz-klw-lyl__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuzL8LlB4%24" target="null"> as he battled illness.</a></p>
<p><b>Syria and Lebanon</b></p>
<p>ACI MENA closely followed the<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4115/baad-altfgyrat-allaslkyw-fy-lbnan-khshy-msyhyw-mn-toswuaa-alhrb__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuUGCzQkI%24" target="null"> developments</a><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/3869/alhrb-tdkw-bab-lbnan-ma-mokf-almsyhywyn__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuBBkIdzo%24" target="null"> during the war in Lebanon,</a> covering the hardships faced by<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4569/alkozh-allbnanyw-bld-hdodyw-msyhyw-dmwrtha-alhrb__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuIDjMrdc%24" target="null"> Christians in the south</a> and the<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4193/almtarn-almoarn-ynashdon-almgtmaa-aldolyw-lokf-atlak-alnar-ottbyk-alkrar-1701__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuxFXeve4%24" target="null"> Maronite Church’s firm stance</a> advocating for<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/3869/alhrb-tdkw-bab-lbnan-ma-mokf-almsyhywyn__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuBBkIdzo%24" target="null"> the country’s neutrality</a> in any futile war. It reported on<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4510/msyhywo-lbnan-ytnfwson-matha-baad-okf-alnar__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuqgdkieA%24" target="null"> the ceasefire agreement</a> and, later, the<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4767/lbnan-yntkhb-ryysh-bakthryw-msyhyw-sryh-aahdun-gdyd-ytoy-alazmat__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuzxOIZXk%24" target="null"> presidential election</a> after years of<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/3363/alraaay-lbnan-akhth-fy-alanhyar-oalskf-yunthr-bskoth-aal-algmyaa__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuAv47gt0%24" target="null"> vacancy</a>.</p>
<p>In Syria, the agency documented the struggles of Christians following<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4761/msyhywo-sorya-baad-shhr-mn-altghyyr-artyahun-hthir-omtalb-bdmanat__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORu5uIKZUE%24" target="null"> recent political changes</a>, the<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4775/almsyhywon-fy-sorya-algdyd-nthrun-aal-althdwyat-oalafak__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORulvfM4xE%24" target="null"> challenges</a> they faced, the<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/5129/asboaa-asod-fy-alsahl-alsoryw-nzoh-msyhyw-otdyyk-maayshyw__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuba_as-0%24" target="null"> tragedies</a>,<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/5117/sorya-msrhun-lmgazr-hkykyw-oaamlywat-ktl-ghamd-othdydat-mustmrw__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORupNH_IEE%24" target="null"> the massacres, and the sorrows.</a> It also highlighted the<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/5159/kyf-yr-rhban-sorya-alfrnsyskan-hadr-alblad-omstkblha__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORudwn_Ym0%24" target="null"> Church’s role</a> in<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4729/lkaaa-alshraa-orosaaa-alknays-dman-almsyhywyn-fy-sorya-algdyd__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuO0oK-Fo%24" target="null"> searching for guarantees</a> for its people amid<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/4775/almsyhywon-fy-sorya-algdyd-nthrun-aal-althdwyat-oalafak__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORulvfM4xE%24" target="null"> unpredictable challenges</a>.</p>
<p><b>Joint Documentary</b></p>
<p>ACI MENA crowned its extensive coverage of<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/results?q=**X__;2YXYs9mK2K3ZitmKK9in2YTYudix2KfZgg!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuwAFLY7s%24" target="null"> Iraqi Christians’</a> resilience in their ancestral homeland with the launch of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fVAr7upEqs">a joint documentary</a> in collaboration with EWTN News. The documentary recounts “the suffering of Iraqi Christians, 10 years after ISIS,” and delves into the hardships they endured,<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/results?q=**T__;2YLYr9in2LMr2KfZhNi52LHYp9mC!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORu7RGNXoU%24" target="null"> their rituals</a>, and their spiritual and educational activities. The agency shed light on<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/results?q=**g__;2KXYudmF2KfYsSvZg9mG2YrYs9ipK9in2YTYudix2KfZgg!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORueHlcP7Q%24" target="null"> the ongoing reconstruction of churches and monasteries damaged during ISIS’ occupation.</a></p>
<div class="embed-block"><img alt="ACI MENA's launching ceremony on March 25, 2022, at the Catholic University in Erbil. Pictured are Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda (center); Alejandro Bermudez, CEO at the time of ACI Group (far right); and other dignitaries and staff. Credit: ACI MENA" class="img-fluid" src="https://admin.catholicnewsagency.com/storage/image/acimena2.jpg"/></p>
<p class="embed-block__description">ACI MENA&#8217;s launching ceremony on March 25, 2022, at the Catholic University in Erbil. Pictured are Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda (center); Alejandro Bermudez, CEO at the time of ACI Group (far right); and other dignitaries and staff. | ACI MENA</p>
</div>
<p><b>Trusted Source</b></p>
<p>ACI MENA has provided extensive and accurate coverage of Vatican affairs, particularly regarding<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/news/5079/ma-alodaa-alshwy-llbaba-frnsys-baad-asboaaayn-onsf-fy-almstshf__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuqKl5xfA%24" target="null"> Pope Francis’ health and during his recent health setback.</a> The agency became a credible reference for Middle Eastern Catholics seeking<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/results?q=**e__;2LXYrdipK9in2YTYqNin2KjYpyvZgdix2YbYs9mK2LM!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuRRVfgGQ%24" target="null"> reliable updates</a> on the Holy Father amid a flood of misinformation.</p>
<p>Beyond reporting<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/results?q=**T__;2K3YrNmR2KfYrCvYp9mE2KzYp9ih!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORuxce26JY%24" target="null"> on diocesan and monastic activities leading up to the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope,</a> the agency continues to offer spiritual and educational content, featuring interviews with clergy and laity from Eastern Catholic Churches. It also shares the biographies of saints and<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.acimena.com/author/23/d-amal-shaaya__;!!GfxeEQ!TDbEVyflGI6I_IHl9rctzg6Q0vxu71AixOOaJgsNb0w5u9aWk8ItuMBGKyFSPE1iZVaJJORu4rezNxE%24" target="null"> inspiring testimonies of faith</a>.</p>
<p><i>This story </i><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qhZ1fAKDXm2BPMXQmuz5kpK566CjowLO?usp=drive_link" target="null"><i>was first published</i></a><i> by ACI MENA, CNA&#8217;s Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated and adapted by CNA.</i> </p>
</p></div>
<p><br />
<br /><a href="https://www.ncregister.com/cna/aci-mena-celebrates-third-anniversary">Source link </a></p>
<p><!-- END THEIA POST SLIDER --></p>