Today 67% of the world’s population lives in countries with serious violations against religious freedom, and Christians are the ones who suffer most from the deprivations of this fundamental right.
Newsroom (August 9, 2021 6:10 PM, Gaudium Press) On the seventh edition of the Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians, the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), promoted prayers for christians suffering persecutions. The initiative was also supported by the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB).
The parishes of the country are encouraged to promote and invite the faithful to pray for Christians who suffer religious persecution. According to ACN, 67% of the world population currently lives in countries with serious violations of religious freedom, and Christians are the ones who suffer most from the deprivation of this fundamental right.
Kidnappings of priests and religious women have become a weapon in several countries
“Unfortunately, we are finding that kidnappings, especially of priests and religious women, have become a weapon and a means of pressure in several countries,” lamented Regina Lynch, project director of ACN-International. In fact, this kidnapping trail spreads from Mali to Nigeria, to Congo and beyond.
Lynch also points out that “many priests and nuns disappear for years. Other church members do not survive the kidnappings. The kidnappers achieve their goal: to increase fear and terror among the population. This is a worrisome situation.”
Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians
Initiated in 2015, the Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians occurs annually in August, marking the night of August 6, 2014, when around 100,000 Christians had to abandon their homes on the Nineveh Plain in Iraq, driven out by extremists from the Islamic State group.
ACN is a Pontifical Foundation that assists the Church through information, prayer and projects to help people or groups suffering persecution and religious and social oppression or in need. Each year the pontifical institution responds to more than 5,000 requests for help from bishops and religious superiors in 140 countries. (EPC)
