The Voice of the suffering and persecuted
In South Sudan, a priest says he ‘was ready for new mission’ in a troubled land
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According to official statistics, about three quarters of all inhabitants of South Sudan over 15 years of age are illiterate. The priest soon realized that “education is the key to eliminating the recurring tensions in the populace. Education will bring peace!”
In Pakistan, Christians are subject to mistreatment, violence that often goes unpunished
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“But despite this, I know that God is on my side, and I am comforted by His presence. I have the Bible on my phone, and I read it when I am afraid, especially Psalms 23 and 121. And I pray constantly."
US Government turns to faith-based organizations to help deliver aid, promote religious freedom
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Increasingly, religious freedom is being recognized as a foundational right; there is growing awareness that two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries with restrictions on religious freedom—and that Christians represent the largest faith group experiencing religious persecution.
Turkey’s invasion of northeastern Syria a blow against Christians
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With the Kurds now likely to engage Turkish forces in battle, Christians and other minorities are afraid they will be left without protection. This confrontation may trigger an exodus, further depleting the Christian population of Syria, which has already shrunk by 80% since the start of the country’s civil war in 2011.
Our Sunday Visitor: ACN Director of Outreach on impact on Christians of Turkey’s invasion of Syria
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President Donald Trump’s order to withdraw U.S. troops from northeastern Syria effectively greenlit Turkey’s invasion of the region. With this shift in U.S. policy, Turkey has been given an opening to reshape its borders and begin to carry out a multi-faceted strategy. As the crisis unfolds, one thing is clear: Christians and other minorities are again in the eye of the storm.
In Haiti, bishops ask government to quell ‘fratricidal warfare’
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Bishop Jean said that “despite our repeated pleas for nearly two years, Haiti’s politicians have not responded. In July 2018 we already had a big crisis and the government did nothing. But the other political parties should also work on a solution. The worst thing is that the different factions are not open to any dialogue.”
Amazon synod: ‘Indigenous peoples have had God with them for a long time’
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"We are going to have to ask for many prayers so that we can have the gift of discernment. We have considered the reality of the situation in Amazonia and have listened to the clamor of its peoples, who are expressing their unhappiness. Above all we will be listening to what the Holy Spirit wishes to say to the Churches in the Amazon region."
Church in India won’t give up ‘fight for equality, justice and fraternity’
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“We are not going to give up the fight for equality, justice and fraternity. We hope that Hindus and Christians will soon become more tolerant of each other and that the readiness to use violence will decline throughout the country."
In Pakistan, education holds the key for Christian social advancement
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"Muslims believe that converting one person to Islam earns them eternal life. If an initial effort fails, people turn to kidnapping. Kidnappings and forced marriages are most common in rural areas, where people have little education."
Archbishop condemns kidnapping and forced conversions of underage Christian girls
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He believes there is a religious aspect to the kidnappings, particularly as the girls are Hindu or Christian. Yet, the archbishop did not believe it was the only explanation. “It is lust. They think ‘she is pretty and I want her.’ It is a crime and it has a possible religious component too.”
