Ahead of ‘Red Wednesday’ on November 20, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland, has called on Irish Catholics to stand in solidarity with Christians who are persecuted for their faith around the world.
The Archbishop’s message comes as churches, cathedrals, and monuments across Ireland prepare to be illuminated in red on the day as part of a week-long campaign, ‘Week of Witness,’ organised by the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Red is the traditional colour of martyrdom, symbolising the blood of Christian martyrs who have died for their faith. The illumination of landmarks like Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh and the Basilica at the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, will be part of the global campaign to raise awareness of the growing persecution faced by Christians in various parts of the world.
In his statement, Archbishop Martin emphasised the staggering global statistics on Christian persecution, citing Pope Francis’ recent reminder that one in seven Christians globally faces violence or discrimination due to their faith.
“It is shocking that around 360 million Christians do not have the freedom to express their faith, a freedom we often take for granted in Ireland, Archbishop Martin said.
The Archbishop highlighted the significance of the ‘Red Wednesday’ initiative, which aims to shine a light on the injustice faced by persecuted Christians, as well as other minority faith groups. He said, “Lighting our cathedrals and churches in red, and encouraging people to wear red clothing, is a visible sign of our solidarity with the persecuted. Pope Francis has spoken movingly about an ‘ecumenism of blood’ – a shared witness of suffering that unites all Christians across denominations.”
This solidarity is crucial, Archbishop Martin added, as the persecution of Christians often goes underreported in global discussions of human rights and freedoms. He also reminded Irish Catholics of their own history of religious struggle, noting that the freedom to worship enjoyed in Ireland today was not always a given and is still denied to millions of Christians worldwide.
The Primate expressed his gratitude for the religious freedoms enjoyed in Ireland, but called on Catholics to pray for those who face persecution, particularly those who are attacked, displaced, or killed for their faith. “As we approach ‘Red Wednesday,’ I invite you to pray for the gift of courage and for loyalty to Christ, especially for our brothers and sisters who suffer for what they believe in,” Archbishop Martin concluded.
