Manila Cathedral, Catholic churches lit up in red to honor persecuted Christians

The Manila Cathedral and several Catholic churches in the country on Wednesday illuminated in red to honor persecuted Christians.

Red Wednesday was initiated by the Papal Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in January 2020, the Wednesday after the Solemnity of Christ the King was dedicated as a day of prayer for Christians persecuted because of their faith.

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu were among the churches in the Archdiocese of Cebu that lit up in red.

In a social media post, ACN urged Filipino Catholics to engage in prayer for Christians who are suffering due to their faith.

“Today, amidst the grand observances, we call on to you to pause, attend Mass, share material help, and pray for the persecuted. We also pray that one day, through our collective work, they would also be able to believe and worship free,” ACN said.

During Red Wednesday, the faithful are also called on to wear red “as remembrance for the shed blood Christ on the Cross as persecuted and martyred, and for the blood of our persecuted brethren.” — BAP, GMA Integrated News