Cathedrals and parishes across Ireland are preparing to play their part in highlighting the ongoing persecution of Christians around the globe. According to Papal charity Aid to the Church in Need, Ireland (ACN Ireland) some 360 million Christians face persecution because of their faith.

Each year, ACN Ireland raises awareness of their plight via the annual Week of Witness, which this year runs from Sunday November 17 to Sunday November 24. A central part of the week-long solidarity campaign is ‘Red Wednesday’ on November 20th, when many cathedrals and parish churches have their exterior illuminated in red, the traditional colour of martyrdom.

Michael Kelly, Director of Public Affairs for ACN Ireland said the charity is “heartened” by the fact that this year many cathedrals and churches are going to be highlighted in red for the entire Week of Witness.

“Sometimes it is hard to get people to take notice of the plight of Christians who are suffering persecution and discrimination, but having cathedrals and churches lit in red invites people to pause and think about what is going on,” Mr Kelly told CatholicNews.ie

ACN supports some 6,000 vulnerable Christian communities in 140 countries, including in the war-torn Holy Land and in Ukraine. Many parish communities in Ireland also hold special liturgies on Red Wednesday to show their prayerful support for what ACN describes as the ‘suffering Church’.

Mr Kelly said that this solidarity is hugely important. “Wherever you go in the world and meet people who are suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ, the one thing they always say is ‘don’t forget about us – tell your friends and neighbours to pray for us”.

Mr Kelly said that while people often think of the early Church as the time of most intense persecution, more Christians have been killed for their faith in the last century than in the entire history of Christianity. Pope Francis pointed out recently that one in seven Christians face discrimination because of their faith. Last year alone over 5,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria for their faith.

Mr Kelly said that it is important that parishioners in Ireland do not lose sight of the suffering that is going on in so many parts of the world.

“Understandably, we sometimes grumble about the difficulties we can face being Christian in contemporary Ireland. But, putting that in context, today over 360 million Christians experience high levels of persecution and discrimination worldwide.

“This included violent oppression, government-imposed restrictions, societal discrimination, and social ostracization,” he said.

• ACN Ireland has prepared a number of resources for parishes, religious communities and prayer groups who want to mark the Week of Witness and Red Wednesday. For more information, or to participate in illuminating your church red please email: michael@acnireand.org