Catholic parishes observe Red Wednesday for persecuted Christians

Catholic parishes and institutions observed Red Wednesday on November 23 in solidarity for Christians around the world being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.

With this year’s theme “Blessed are the Persecuted," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced that the main celebration was held at the Antipolo Cathedral.

“Everyone is welcome as we pray and stand in solidarity for Christians around the world being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ,” the Catholic pastoral aid organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Philippines said.

The CBCP said this was an initiative of ACN “to pray for, and draw attention to, Christians who suffer and are persecuted for their faith.”

“If possible, the building façade of the churches, schools, and participating institutions is to be illuminated or decorated in red,” Monsignor Gerardo Santos, ACN Philippines’ chief operating officer, was quoted saying in the CBCP post.

According to the CBCP, color red is the martyrdom in the Christian faith and studies show that Christians remain the most persecuted faith group in the world, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.

“Where there is violence and terror, ACN aids and materially responds to the call of the mission to promote ecclesial and spiritual communion between those who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ, and those who possess a compassionate and generous heart,” Santos said.

The CBCP declared Red Wednesday as an official church activity in the Philippines in January 2020. —NB, GMA Integrated News