Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Pope Francis backs Venice event for world’s persecuted Christians

By Robin Gomes/aticannews.va and churchinneed.org :

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin has sent a message on the Pope’s behalf to Patriarch Francesco Moraglia of Venice expressing his support for Tuesday evening's event in Venice called #RedVenice, sponsored by the Patriarchate of Venice, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN ), a Catholic charity helping persecuted Christians worldwide, and Venice municipality.

During the #RedVenice event, numerous landmarks of the famous lagoon city, including the waters of the Grand Canal, will be bathed in red light, symbolizing the colour of the blood of persecuted Christians.

“The Holy Father is sending his affectionate greetings to the young people taking part in the diocesan pilgrimage promoted by the Patriarchate of Venice and the Aid to the Church in Need foundation, to sensitize public opinion on the drama of numerous Christians persecuted for their faith,” Cardinal Parolin wrote in the message.
He said the Pope hopes the "provident initiative will arouse due attention on the part of all to the serious problem of discrimination that Christians suffer in many parts of the world".

Persecuted Christians

The message noted there are many countries where a single religion is imposed or where there is violent persecution or systematic cultural mockery of the disciples of Jesus, denying them religious freedom, which, the Pope said, is a fundamental human right that must be recognized because it reflects man’s highest dignity.

Cardinal Parolin said the Pope is encouraging prayers so that Christians who find themselves in difficult conditions can prove themselves strong in the face of trials, feeling the closeness of the entire Catholic community, so they can be a seed of new vitality and hope for the Church.

The Holy Father encouraged all participants in the #RedVenice initiative "to be builders of reconciliation and peace everywhere".

Rome’s most famous landmark, the Colosseum, was lit up in red on February 24 this year in a similar event as a sign of solidarity with all those who are persecuted for their faith.

Asia Bibi

The #RedVenice event in Venice will be focusing attention on women who suffer for their faith, especially Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Catholic woman on death row since 2010 who was acquitted of blasphemy by the country’s Supreme Court on October 31.

In a video message sent to Aid to the Church in Need on the eve of #RedVenice, Asia Bibi’s daughter, Eisham Ashiq expressed her gratitude to all for their prayers and efforts for her mother. She hopes her family will be reunited finally and be able to visit Venice soon.

Churches around the world go red in support of religious freedom

THANKSGIVING DAY, in Rome, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will launch its 2018 Religious Freedom in the World report. Accompanying the publication of the report—which examines the state of religious freedom in each of the world’s 196 countries—will be a host of prayer meetings and special gatherings around the world, organized by the various national offices of ACN.

In Venice, Santa Maria della Salute goes red

A special feature of the worldwide campaign is the lighting in red of churches and cathedrals, including a number of very famous ones: these include Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, the Sacré Coeur basilica in Paris, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, and Westminster Cathedral in London. More than 1300 churches in the Philippines will go red this year.

In Venice, on Nov. 20, 2018, the famed Rialto Bridge and parts of the Grand Canal were also lit in red. In a message sent to the “Venice in Red” event, Pope Francis said he hoped the initiative will put the spotlight “on the grave problem of discrimination facing Christians in so many parts of the world.”

The cornerstone of ACNUSA’s “Courage in Red” campaign—with red the color martyrdom, in honor of today’s persecuted Christians—will be a celebration of Vespers Nov. 28, 2018 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

“As an organization committed to helping persecuted Christians, ACN has a particular duty to uphold the basic human right of religious freedom,” said George Marlin, chairman of ACNUSA. He added: “Sadly, there are more and more infringements of this basic human right, which affect all religions. Though, by far, most of the victims of religious persecution are Christians.”

“We are therefore inviting people throughout the world to stand up together with ACN in defense of religious freedom and make a visible gesture of solidarity,” Marlin said.

ACNUSA invited Archbishop Timothy Broglio—head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace and archbishop for the Military Services, USA—to preside at the Vespers at the Basilica in Washington, D.C.; the papal nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, will deliver a message from the Vatican.

Vespers at the Basilica will also feature several witnesses of the persecuted Church: Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Kurdistan—whose local Church cared for more than 120,000 Iraqi Christians who had fled ISIS; Bishop Oliver Doeme of the Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria, Diocese of Maiduguri in Nigeria, a region that suffered some of the most extreme violence and destruction perpetrated by Boko Haram; and Sister Annie Demerjian, a nun from the Community of Jesus and Mary, who for years has stood by the people under her care in Aleppo, Syria, which saw the worst fighting of that country’s civil war.