EAO, 21 December 2018 -- Pope Francis often invites us thus: "Let us also think … about our many brothers and sisters today who cannot pray together because they are persecuted for it, who cannot have the book of the Gospels or a Bible because they are persecuted for it. Let us think about these brothers and sisters who cannot go to Mass because it is prohibited. How many times a priest secretly comes among them pretending to be at table having tea, and he secretly celebrates the Mass. This is happening today."
Religious persecution is a reality which Pope Francis addresses on a regular basis, imploring us to pray and take action, rather than to remain silent and uninformed in the light of such injustice: “I cannot fail to recall the many instances of injustice and persecution which daily afflict religious minorities, and Christians in particular, in various parts of our world. Communities and individuals today find themselves subjected to barbaric acts of violence: they are evicted from their homes and native lands, sold as slaves, killed, beheaded, crucified or burned alive, under the shameful and complicit silence of so many.”
Before we celebrate the Christmas Feast 2018 it might be good to remind ourselves of just a few statistics on Christians and martyrs throughout history:
- Since Jesus laid down his life, 43 million Christians have become martyrs.
- Right now 200+ million face persecution for believing in Jesus.
- Today 1 out of 7 Christians (Catholics, Protestant, Orthodox) live in a country where there is persecution.
- 38 countries today have serious forms of persecution.
- 21 countries are classified as 'persecuting' religious minorities
- 17 territories have religious discrimination.
- 61% of the world's population live in countries with no respect for religious freedom.
- In 9% of the world's nations there is discrimination.
- In 11% of the world's countries there is some religious persecution going on.
There are many Christian and Catholic organizations offering concrete help to Christians who are persecuted or in danger, like the Aid to the Church in Need (https://acninternational.org).
During 2018 Salesians in a few EAO countries have personally experienced the situation of persecution or discrimination simply for being disciples of Jesus.
Don't forget these brothers and sisters of ours during Christmas 2018!
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