Witnessing to the faith at all cost

In his Easter Urbi et Orbi, Pope Francis spoke of the troubling situations in Myanmar, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Sahel, Nigeria, Tigray, Cabo Delgado, eastern Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh and reminded the faithful to “pray that all restrictions on freedom of worship and religion worldwide, may be lifted and everyone be allowed to pray and praise God freely.” 

Persecution of Christians around the world has increased dramatically over the past year.  This tragic mistreatment of Christians is inspiring Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April: We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.

According to the 2021 World Watch List compiled by the Christian advocacy group Open Doors, more than 340 million Christians face persecution and discrimination because of their faith.  There has been a 60% increase since last year in the number of Christians slain for their faith.  More than 90% of the deaths occurred in Africa.

Christian communities across Indonesia were shaken following a suicide bombing at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, Sulawesi on Palm Sunday this year.

In India, the government has curtailed the foreign funding of Christian-run hospitals, schools and church organizations.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, Christians face increased levels of violence. In Nigeria, the number of Christians killed has almost tripled in the past year.

An orphanage in China’s Hebei province, the Nuns of the Child Jesus run an orphanage named “House of Dawn.”  The nuns, along with several volunteers, take care of disabled children and young people.  Given the religious mission of the orphanage, they have been unable to attain government funding and rely on donations from Catholics around the world.  The local government authorities are increasing their opposition to the orphanage and threatening to shut it down. 

On April 11 of this year, five priests, two religious sisters and three other persons were abducted in the town of Croix-des-Bouquets, close to the capital Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  And in March, Fr. Harrison Egwuenu, the principal of St. George’s College in Obinomba, Nigeria, was kidnapped and released a week later.
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These are just some of the reports from around the world that reveal to us the real and ongoing persecutions faced by Christians in other parts of the world.  They also reflect how deep faith inspires Christians to bear witness and to commit to the Faith even when it means facing tremendous and unwavering systemic discrimination and persecution.

The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it: "All however must be prepared to confess Christ before men and to follow him along the way of the Cross, amidst the persecutions which the Church never lacks." (CCC, 1816)

​While Article 18 of the United Nations’ Declaration on Human Rights affirms freedom of religion, it is not a right that is globally enjoyed by the faithful nor respected by civil authorities. 

​Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. (United Nations’ Declaration on Human Rights, Article 18)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks to the need for those public authorities in a society to promote and protect the common good and thus to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.

First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such. In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person. Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation. In particular, the common good resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation, such as "the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard . . . privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion."  (CCC, 1907)

Here in our province, those in roles of public authority have faced questions dealing with religious freedom and their right to place restrictions on public gatherings of worship as legitimate measures to protect the common good, public health and the fundamental and inalienable rights of human persons to be safe and protected during this time of a pandemic. This has resulted in much debate, division and now demonstrations of civil disobedience. Prudential dialogue, authoritative scientific evidence concerning public health measures, the respect for fundamental human rights of individual citizens and groups must ultimately ensure the common good of society and promote the integral respect and promotion of the health and well-being of each person regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, religion or belief.  

Some have suggested that this is the beginning of religious persecution and the systematic repression and denial of such fundamental rights by public authorities here in our country and province. It is very true that we need to be vigilant in protecting such rights and we cannot forget that many of our brothers and sisters continue to face much more violent opposition for the living and witnessing of their faith. What is our responsibility and response to such realities? 

• Constant prayer and petitions for those persecuted sisters and brothers asking for God to strengthen them with His grace, courage, and strength.
• That we mark the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 1.
• Raise awareness of Christian persecution globally by documenting and speaking about the incidents of unjust persecution in the hope of pointing toward just solutions.
• Support those who are persecuted by encouraging and advocating for just laws and fair legal processes. 
• Support interfaith and cross cultural dialogue.

It is deeply troubling that people are persecuted for their public demonstration of faith in Jesus Christ.  And it is also inspiring to realize that harsh persecution and systemic discrimination cannot prevent Christians from following Jesus Christ. In fact this is part of the life of the Church not only in the past but now in the present. This must be a source of confident hope. 

Pope Francis reminds us that whenever Christians face persecution because of their belief in Jesus, they are not alone. Jesus is always present with each person.

In persecutions there is always the presence of Jesus who accompanies us, the presence of Jesus who comforts us and the strength of the Holy Spirit that helps us to go forward. Let us not be discouraged when a life that is faithful to the Gospel draws persecution from people. There is the Holy Spirit who sustains us in this journey.”

Throughout the Easter season we come to relive in faith, that with the Risen Lord, all our sufferings are transformed: death becomes life, mourning is met with consolation and the cross of Jesus gives meaning to our suffering.  May Christ our peace bring an end to all forms of persecution and restore the dignity of all people.  ​

Written by Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
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April 15, 2021