ACN Break the Silence

#38 - The Shifting Sands Between Peace and War

ACN's John Pontifex and Elliott Banks discuss their recent trip to Iraq investigating freedom of religion for Christians and other minorities, and the wider challenges cause by the latest conflict.

#37 - Bishop William Shomali: The living stones - Christianity in the Holy Land

In this episode, Dr Caroline Hull talks to Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar of Israel and Palestine about the situation for Christians living in the Holy Land today. Many Christians in the region describe themselves as "the living stones" of the Church having been the first communities to embrace the teachings of Christ, Our Lord.

#36 - Bishop Jovitus Francis Mwijage: Avoiding politics in the Church

Bishop Jovitus tells ACN's Nathalie Raffray how the Church in Tanzania has been forced to navigate its response to the violence following contentious elections. People have been killed or are missing and any protests shut down.

#35 - Rupert Shortt: The Decline and Persecution of Christianity

Rupert Shortt is a British author and journalist known for writing about the modern-day persecution of Christians around the world. He is joined by ACN’s John Pontifex to discuss issues related to the decline of Christianity in the West, as well as religious freedom violations globally.

#34 - Bishop John Bakeni: Faith in the Shadow of Extremism

Bishop John Bakeni is Auxiliary Bishop of Maiduguri in north-eastern Nigeria. His community was afflicted by years of Boko Haram insurgency and frequent terror attacks. Bishop John believes the diocese would not have survived without the help of ACN benefactors. He joins ACN's John Pontifex for a conversation about the power of the Christian Faith in the shadow of Islamist extremism.

#33 - Fr Peter Konteh: The Church in Sierra Leone

Father Peter Konteh was ordained during the height of Sierra Leone’s brutal 10-year civil war. He joins ACN's John Pontifex to discuss his over three decades of pastoral ministry and humanitarian work, including his role as ACN project partner.

#32 - Tobias Yahaya: Courage to Be Christian in Northern Nigeria

Tobias Yahaya serves as a catechist in Sokoto, northern Nigeria – one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. He has survived a number of attempts on his life, including a stabbing, but has not hesitated to return to his ministry. To honour his perseverance and witness, Tobias has received the 2025 'Courage to be Christian' award. He is joined by ACN's John Pontifex to reflect on persecution, hope and forgiveness.

#31 - Archbishop Angaelos: Defending Religious Freedom

Archbishop Angaelos is the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, UK. For many years, His Eminence has been a great supporter of ACN’s work, including the annual #RedWednesday campaign. He sits down with ACN (UK)’s John Pontifex to share many valuable insights about Christian persecution and the never-ending fight for religious freedom.

#30 - Fr Will Conquer: The Legacy of St Carlo Acutis and ACN Help in Cambodia

Missionary priest Fr Will Conquer wrote one of the first-ever books about St Carlo Acutis before his beatification. Amy Balog of ACN (UK) speaks to Fr Will about St Carlo's life and legacy, as well as ACN's support for the Church in Cambodia.

#29 - Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski: The Church in Ukraine

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London sits down with ACN (UK)'s John Pontifex to discuss the past, present and future of the Church in Ukraine. They also highlight the support provided by ACN over the decades.