KIM CAIN
An historic consultation of church leaders has focused on intensifying discrimination, persecution and violence against Christian communities around the world. Church leaders have called on churches globally to pray, support and stand in solidarity with those suffering religious persecution.
The consultation, held in Tirana, Albania, on 2-4 November, was an initiative of the Global Christian Forum and involved leaders from 56 nations. It was supported by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christin Unity (the Vatican), the World Evangelical Alliance, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, and the World Council of Churches.
In a two-pronged response, the leaders:
- offered “repentance” for times when churches had “persecuted each other and other religious communities in history”; and
- urged churches “to urgently strengthen the solidarity of all Christians” in the face of discrimination, persecution and martyrdom in the 21st century.
In a greeting from the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about the sacrifices many Christians endure because of their faith.
“I think with great sadness of the escalating discrimination, and persecution against Christians in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and elsewhere throughout the world,” he said.
“In various parts of the world, the witness to Christ, even to the shedding of blood, has become a shared experience of Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals.”
The consultation also called on governments to “respect and protect the freedom of religion and belief of all people as a fundamental human right.”
In a public message from the consultation, participants called on:
- Christians to pray for those who are discriminated against and persecuted;
- Christian organisations at regional, national and local levels from all traditions to learn, pray and work together for the persecuted;
- Churches to engage in dialogue and co-operation with other faith communities, and be watchful and fearless in the face of discrimination and persecution.
The historic gathering was the first time in modern history that every stream of global Christianity had joined together to listen and learn from Christians who experience discrimination, persecution and violence.
You can read more about how Global Christian Forum is supporting persecuted Christians in their newsletter.
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