In a video message, Pope Francis asks the Catholic faithful to pray for those who are discriminated against because of their religion in January 2022.
The appeal of the head of the Catholic Church is no accident, in the past year more than 300 million Christians were persecuted around the world. Let's pray for the persecuted - writes vasarnap.hu.
In the recording released on January 4, the Pope called religious persecution "inhuman" and "madness", the Catholic News Agency reported.
"How can we allow people in this civilized society to be persecuted simply because they openly profess their faith?" asks the leader of the church. He then added: let's pray that those who suffer discrimination and religious persecution find their dignity in their society and the rights that come from brotherhood.
The video showing the Pope's trip to Iraq in March 2021, including destroyed churches and various scenes, is promoted by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. The site draws attention to the Pope's monthly prayer intentions.
It was not by chance that the head of the Catholic Church issued an appeal on this topic. In recent weeks, news has appeared one after another about the growing persecution of Christians around the world.
According to the World Watch List of the interest protection organization Open Doors, for example, North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia and Nigeria are among the 10 worst countries where large-scale Christian oppression can be observed. This puts it ahead of Iraq and Syria, which are in 11th and 12th place, respectively, which are often described as "extreme" places of Christian persecution. According to the organization's report for the year 2021, about 340 million Christians are persecuted around the world. By the way, this represents an increase of 30 million compared to the previous year.
According to the Vatican news portal Agenzia Fides, 22 Catholic converts were victims of violent death in 2021. Among them were 13 priests, two nuns, one monk and six non-ecclesiastical persons. Broken down by continent, thirteen Catholic converts were killed in Africa, seven in Latin America, three in Asia, and one in Europe. A detailed report on the identity of those who died last year and the circumstances of their death is available on the website of the Vatican news agency. At the same time, as Fides draws attention to, the agency does not publish figures regarding Catholics killed for religious reasons in Africa.
The Catholic news portal also reminds us that last year US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was criticized for removing Nigeria from the list of Christian persecution. The country in which, according to some church leaders, violence against Christians has reached the level of genocide. An average of 10 Christians are killed every day in the West African country Attacks and atrocities against villages, women and children are often committed with impunity.
The growing persecution of Christians in India is confirmed by the news that appeared recently that the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, is nearing the end of its work in the country. The federal government of India did not renew their congregation's license, i.e. to operate as a "recognized charity". By refusing to renew the registration, they prevent funding from abroad and thus the continuation of all their activities. Moreover, the government announced its decision on December 25, thus giving a cruel Christmas present "to the poorest among the poor." ( This decision was withdrawn as a result of the international protest, but the intention is clear: to displace and make impossible the spread of the Christian faith, as well as the presence of its representatives - ed.)
Source: vasarnap.hu
(Header image: MTI/EPA/ANSA/Alessandro Di Meo)
