Persecution of Christians around the world has intensified, according to the latest report from the Pontifical Aid to the Church in Need (ACNE).
Catholic Aid said in Munich on Friday that violence, discrimination and other human rights violations have worsened in many countries. The report, entitled ‘Persecuted and Forgotten’, examined the situation of Christians in 18 countries from summer 2022 to summer 2024. The report has been published every two years for 18 years.
The situation is particularly bad in Africa
According to the report, the situation for Christians is particularly bad in Africa.
“The epicenter of Islamist violence has spread there from the Middle East,” said Regina Lynch, executive director of Aid to the Church in Need.
Many Christian communities are fleeing because of Islamist attacks, raising the question of how the Church can survive in these regions in the long term.
Kidnappings of priests are commonplace
Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa of Nigeria explained that kidnappings of priests and church workers are common there. Two such cases have occurred in the past two weeks alone. For example Fr. Thomas Oyode spent 11 days in captivity after terrorists attacked the minor seminary where he is rector. Christians also face discrimination in the workplace, in politics and in the legal system.
– Moreover, in countries such as China, Eritrea and Iran, Christians are seen as enemies of the state – the report said. In still other countries, followers of Christ and other minorities are increasingly persecuted by the law. The report also repeatedly described kidnappings and forced conversions of Christian women and girls or offensive texts about Christians in school textbooks.
However, the report also mentions one positive example. According to the report, there has been a slight improvement in the situation of Christians in Vietnam, including: because the country has maintained diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
Source: Do Rzeczy
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
