Founded in 1947 in Belgium by the Norbertine priest Father Werenfried van Straaten, ACN (in French, Aide à l'Église en Détresse or AED) was elevated by Pope Benedict to the status of a Pontifical Foundation in November 2011. Its Canadian branch, Aid to the Church in Need Canada, collaborates with the CCCB in responding to emergency funding requests which the Conference receives from the Church in other countries. Its mission is to foster reconciliation and promote love, mutual prayer and material support to help the Church proclaim the Gospel where she is in need, suffering extreme poverty or persecution.
For the most up to date information, you can also see the Aid to the Church in Need Blog .