ACN brings together thousands to pray for the persecuted Christians during #RedWeek. Worldwide solidarity and prayer vigils illuminate over 1,000 monuments, churches, and public buildings to defend the right to religious freedom.
From November 17 to 27, 2024, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) once again united thousands of Christians from over 20 countries in the worldwide initiative Red Week, bringing them together to pray for those suffering for their faith.
This year, more than 1,000 monuments, churches, and public buildings were lit in red – the colour of Christian martyrs – to raise awareness about the decrease of the right to religious freedom around the world. Each illuminated monument tells a story of courage, faith and resilience in the face of persecution, shining a light in the darkness faced by millions for their beliefs.
Witnesses of courage and faith
In France, the 15th edition of La Nuit des Témoins (Night of Witness) was held during this week and iconic landmarks such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, set to reopen after its restoration, were bathed in red light. Along with the Lourdes Shrine and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, churches across the country – including those in Bayonne, Versailles, and Rennes – held prayer vigils for persecuted Christians. More than 10 churches in Corsica also participated, including the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, in Ajaccio, further emphasising France’s commitment to solidarity.
In Spain, almost 200 prayer gatherings took place in cities including Madrid, Zaragoza, and Valladolid, with key monuments like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Cathedral of La Almudena in Madrid, and the Roman Amphitheatre of Tarragona (site of the first Christian martyrdoms in Spain) illuminated in red. Special screenings of the documentary Heroes of Faith were held in over 50 parishes, along with talks on the report Persecuted and Forgotten?, emphasising the dire state of Christian persecution today.
Ireland also joined in Red Week this year. A key moment was the lighting of the largest statue of St. Patrick in Saul, Co. Down, a fitting tribute to St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the island almost 1,600 years ago. Archbishop Linus Neli of Imphal in Manipur, India, shared testimonies about the struggles of the Church in his home country in a climate of violence and intimidation, while numerous churches and cathedrals, including the National Eucharistic Shrine at Knock, participated in Red Wednesday prayer vigils.
The United Kingdom also marked Red Wednesday with notable political engagement. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner responded to an appeal from MP Sir Edward Leigh, acknowledging the worsening crisis of religious persecution and pledging support for religious freedom. He said: “Today is #RedWednesday in which we remember all those persecuted for their belief worldwide. A recent report by Aid to the Church in Need shows that in the countries surveyed, the persecution of minorities has increased by 60 percent. In light of this, will the Government commit to reappointing the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, a post which has remained vacant since July?” Standing in for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Rayner replied: “We are committed to championing human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief.” This highlights the continued international awareness of religious persecution and the need for systemic change, including at the political level.
Germany’s participation saw more than 200 churches, including in Augsburg and Mainz, lit in red. The ecumenical service in Fulda Cathedral, featuring music by “Koenige und Priester”, drew over 1,300 attendees. In a powerful demonstration of unity, the event included a light show and moving testimonies from Christians enduring persecution.
In Canada, Red Wednesday saw an unprecedented number of activities, spanning from the Diocese of Victoria on the West Coast to the Diocese of Whitehorse in the North. In Saskatchewan, an ecumenical vigil was held, while major cathedrals across the country – including in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal – were lit in red. More than 40 activities, including masses and prayer services, took place across the nation, with dioceses, schools and grassroots organizations actively promoting the event.
In Chile, the Red Week events included a vigil at the Parroquia de la Veracruz in Santiago, where attendees prayed for persecuted Christians and listened to the testimony of Fr Gilberto Matuz, who shared his experiences of serving as a parish priest in areas affected by church burnings and violence.
In Mexico, the Cathedral of Puebla was illuminated on November 22, with Mons. Francisco Martínez, the Auxiliary Bishop of Puebla, speaking out about religious persecution in Mexico and around the world. In the north of the country, several churches in Nuevo León joined the initiative, adding their voices to the global prayer.
Other countries that observed Red Week included Austria, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Colombia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Australia and the Philippines, demonstrating the widespread global commitment to this cause.
ACN’s commitment to persecuted Christians and religious freedom
The Red Week initiative is part of ACN’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the forgotten plight of Christians facing persecution in many countries, like the Sahel region of Africa, India or Nigeria, where religious freedom continues to be under threat in the 21st century.
ACN’s “Persecuted & Forgotten?” report, released during Red Week, highlights the alarming rise in persecution or discrimination worldwide. Through prayer, public witness and ongoing advocacy, ACN is committed to raising awareness and offering support to those suffering for their faith and standing up for religious freedom.
By Maria Lozano.
