100 Million Brothers and Sisters in Christ Persecuted

Then.













Now.
Did you know over 100,000,000 brothers and sisters in Christ suffer persecution for their faith?

That is to say, people who believe in our Lord, and live out their lives faithful Christ's teachings "suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith" (Open Doors USA).  

Did you know Pope Benedict XVI had something to say about religious persecution?

According to Vatican News, "Holy Father Benedict XVI...stressed that in many Countries Christians are deprived of fundamental rights and sidelined from public life; in other countries they endure violent attacks against churches and their homes. At times they are forced to leave the countries they have helped to build because of persistent tensions and policies which frequently relegate them to being second-class spectators of national life" (Vatican News). 

Did you know as a faithful follower of Jesus, you can do something to help?
  1. Stay informed.  See Catholic News Agency for more information.
  2. Get involved.  See Aid to the Church in Need or Where God Weeps for some suggestions.
  3. Let others in your parish know, and begin to dialogue and allow the Holy Spirit to move each of you to employ your collective skills, talents and prayer to aid others in need.




" It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good.  This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person."
+ Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 913 +



Persecution of Christians (Catholic TV)

Resources
  • Advocacy
    • American Center for Law and Justice - By focusing on U.S. constitutional law, European Union law and human rights law, the ACLJ and its affiliated organizations are dedicated to the concept that freedom and liberty are universal, God-given and inalienable rights that must be protected.
    • Security Adviser McDonough on Religious Freedom - "[W]e need to be respectful of other religious traditions at the same time that we unequivocally proclaim that violence in the name of religion is wrong" (Cardinal Dolan as cited in McDonough, 2012).
    • United States Commission on International Religious Freedom - "Across the global landscape, the pivotal human right of religious freedom was under escalating attack. To an alarming extent, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief was being curtailed, often threatening the safety and survival of innocent persons, including members of religious minorities" (Annual Report, 2012).
  • Articles
    • Christian Persecution: Christian Nigeria’s Witness for Jesus in the Face of Boko Haram’s Terrorists - "The destruction included 'the Blessed Sacrament that was desecrated,' according to Msgr. Ike’s statement" (Patheos.com).
    • Father Gerald Murray on the Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI - "[T]he pope is very intent that all believers in God come to a common understanding of how we defend the basic right to religious freedom in the modern world, the right of believers to be able to practice their faith in the public square without coercion; also very sensitive to the right of people to be able to change their religion without suffering penalties of the civil law."





American Pastor [Father of two] Jailed in Iran Describes Physical, Psychological Abuse

SaveSaeed.org






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