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May 21, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
COMMENTARY
Persecution Of Christians Worse Now Than Ever – Do We Care?
By Tony Magliano
Internationally syndicated social jus-
tice and peace columnist
[email protected]
“The persecution of Christians is today worse
than at any time in history,” says Aid to the Church
in Need – a papal charity – in its report on oppressed
Christians titled “Persecuted and Forgotten?” (see:
https://bit.ly/2DimV2a).
The Easter Sunday coordinated bombings target-
ing Christians in Sri Lanka, which killed at least
290 people and wounded approximately 500 others,
tragically demonstrates how dangerous it is to be a
Christian in many places throughout the world (see:
https://cnn.it/2VW75Ud).
“Not only are Christians more persecuted than any
other faith group” states the “Persecuted and Forgot-
ten?” report, but increasing numbers are experienc-
ing the very worst forms of persecution – including
hanging and crucifixion.
A sampling from the report’s table of contents
further highlights just a fraction of the persecution
suffered by Christians around the world:
• Egypt: Suicide bombers strike during Mass
• Syria: Monastery bulldozed and the dead
defiled
• Sudan: Churches destroyed on government
orders
According to a 2017 Pew Research Center report,
Christians in 128 countries suffered persecution from
government and social hostilities – “more countries
than any other religious group.”
And according to Open Doors, an organization
dedicated to aiding persecuted Christians worldwide,
approximately 245 million Christians – in the 50
countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian
– experience persecution because of their faith, includ-
ing an average of 345 Christians killed every month
(see: www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution).
“The persecution of
Christians is today worse than
at any time in history.”
Aid to the Church in Need’s “Persecuted and
Forgotten?” report accuses the international commu-
nity of failing to respond adequately to the violence,
stating that “Governments in the West and the UN
failed to offer Christians in countries such as Iraq and
Syria the emergency help they needed as genocide
got underway.”
The report added, “If Christian organizations and
other institutions had not filled the gap, the Christian
presence could already have disappeared in Iraq and
other parts of the Middle East.”
The “Persecuted and Forgotten?” report challeng-
ingly states: “The pervasive nature of persecution
– and evidence implicating regimes with whom the
West has close trading and strategic links – means that
it behooves our governments to use their influence to
June 26 - July 3 Sisters’ & Lay Women’s 8-Day Silent Retreat: Father Stephen Akers
Women Doctors of the Church
July 12-14 Men’s & Women’s Silent Retreat: Father Alan Benander, O. Praem.
(Norbertine) - Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
September 6-8 Men’s & Women’s Non-Silent Retreat (open to all; appropriate for
Fresno, Silver Angels): Father Serge Propst, OP - Living with Grace
September 13-15 Women’s Silent Retreat: Father Serge Propst, OP - Living with Grace
September 20-22 Married Couples Non-Silent Retreat (English):
Father Serge Propst, OP- Living with Grace
September 27-29 Women’s Silent Retreat: Father Serge Propst, OP - Living with Grace
October 11-13 A.A. & Al-Anon Women: Contact Colleen (650) 714-1985
October 25-27 Men’s & Women’s Semi-Silent Retreat: Father Michael Barry, SSCC
Journey of the Heart
831-423-8093 • www.stclaresretreat.com
Email: [email protected]
Staffed by Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
stand up for minorities, especially Christians.”
Yet disgracefully, many governments are largely
putting profit and strategic interests before persecuted
human beings.
The report states that President Trump signed a
$110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, even though
reports highlight that “sources within Saudi Arabia
are supplying arms and finance to Sunni extrem-
ists groups, notably Daesh [ISIS], guilty of genocide
against Christians” (and let us not also forget the Sau-
dis’ merciless ongoing military attacks upon countless
innocent Yemeni children, women and men).
With a prophetic wake-up call to put our faith in
Christ before national loyalty, the report proclaims:
“No longer should Christians be sacrificed on the altar
of strategic expediency and economic advantage.”
Therefore, please regularly email and phone
your two U.S. senators and congressperson (Capitol
switchboard: 202-224-3121) urging them to pressure
all countries engaged in hostilities toward Christians,
other people of faith and minorities, to completely
stop the persecution. And urge that far more aid to
those suffering persecution be appropriated in the
2020 budget.
Also, please sign up to receive advocacy updates
from Open Doors (see: https://bit.ly/2URRK5G).
And let us regularly in private and liturgical prayer
remember those suffering for the faith.
Additionally, please assist Aid to the Church
in Need’s efforts to provide persecuted Christians
with the financial help they need to survive (see:
https://bit.ly/2vxeFsz).
These are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We
cannot look the other way while they suffer.