A NEW set of resources on responding to religious persecution has been published on the Church of England website.
The pages include information, prayers, and reports on freedom of religion or belief, and links to international anti-persecution charities and campaigns.
These have been collated in response to a motion carried by the General Synod, in July, which called for a day of prayer and action for the persecuted Church (News, 12 July). During the debate, it was pointed out that an International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, an ecumenical initiative in which the C of E took part, already existed.
No new date has been created, but churches and individuals are encouraged to participate, in particular, in the existing annual “Red Wednesday” prayer campaign on behalf of persecuted Christians. It was started by the international Roman Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need in 2016 (News, 18 November 2022), and this year falls on 20 November.
Actions for this day include signing an open letter to the Government urging it to secure better protection for persecuted Christians abroad. They also include floodlighting church buildings in red. A press release confirmed that Lambeth Palace and Westminster Abbey would take part.
People are also encouraged to participate in other significant days throughout the year, including the ecumenical International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, which this year falls on Sunday 3 November, as well as Contemporary Martyrs Day (15 February) and the UN International Day Commemorating Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (22 August).
The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, who chaired the Independent Review of Christian Persecution (News, 5 November 2021), said: “Religious persecution remains one of the gravest issues of our time, affecting millions of people around the world. Through prayer and advocacy, we can stand alongside those suffering for their beliefs, working together for freedom of religion or belief for all.”
Aid to the Church in Need’s national director (UK), Dr Caroline Hull, said: “It is vital that action is taken to stand up and support countless people who suffer so much for their religious faith — including sexual violence, physical and mental torture, detention without charge, and even murder. #RedWednesday gives them a voice and calls on all of us to unite behind them.”