“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.” Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:26-2
On Wednesday 22 November, Sacred Heart Cathedral will light up in red, joining the global Red Wednesday Campaign to give voice to the 360 million Christians who cannot practise their faith freely and face discrimination, violence and even death because of their faith. Red Wednesday is a day to stand in solidarity with and pray for our fellow Christians who are not blessed with the religious freedom which we enjoy.
Red Wednesday is a global initiative of ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ (ACN), a Catholic organisation supporting the Church in places where it is oppressed or in need. Red Wednesday started in 2015 when ‘Christ the Redeemer’ in Rio de Janeiro was lit up in red. Ever since Red Wednesday has been embraced by a growing list of iconic monuments, churches and buildings across the world. This year, Sacred Heart Cathedral too, will shine a red light on the plight of persecuted Christians – the most persecuted religious group in the world.
Administrator of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Fr Brian Boyle says he and parishioners are very pleased to help give a voice to voiceless Christians, which is now possible thanks to new lighting technology installed just this month.
“Today, in parts of Africa and Asia there is a significant amount of persecution of Catholics and Christians going on. Lighting our Cathedral red is a very palpable way of making people notice their plight,” he said. “Red, being symbolic of blood, draws people’s attention to the significant numbers of Christians and Catholics martyred during the year,” said Fr Boyle.
According to the World Watch List, 5621 people were murdered in 2022 simply because they were Christian. 2110 Churches were attacked, and more than 360 million Christians are suffering high levels of persecution for no reason other than they are Christian. Worldwide it is estimated that 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted; furthermore, that the number of persecuted has grown and the degree of persecution has intensified over the last 30 years.
In a place like Australia, it’s easy to forget the silent suffering of our fellow Christians. “Personally,” said Fr Brian, “I find it’s very moving – for people in a country which basically enjoys religious freedom, to engage in a tangible act of solidarity to support our fellow Catholics and Christians who are suffering and dying for their faith.”
Prayer Vigil 8:30 p.m. 22 November
A Prayer Vigil will be held on the (Wattle Street) stairs of Sacred Heart Cathedral on Red Wednesday to offer prayers and stand in solidarity with those who are not free to practise their faith.
All are Welcome.
You can also show your support for persecuted Christians by organising a Prayer Service in your Parish, say a prayer yourself, wear red on the day (22 November) and/or donate to Aid to the Church in Need to support their numerous projects.
