More than 388 million Christians worldwide now face “high levels of persecution and discrimination” for their faith, according to an Open Doors International report released in January, a plight Sydney Catholics sought to confront by raising tens of thousands of dollars through a special Christmas festival in the city’s CBD.
More than 3,000 people gathered at Sydney Town Hall over two days last December for the inaugural Catholic Christmas Festival, raising over $25,000 to support persecuted Christians through Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Organisers hope it will become a regular fixture in the city’s calendar.
Events included the annual Carols for Peace, a city-centre procession to St Mary’s Cathedral, an exhibition on the Shroud of Turin and St Carlo Acutis, and the Jubilee Society Ball.
ACN Australia national director Bernard Toutounji said the generosity of Sydney Catholics came at a time of acute need for suffering Christian communities worldwide, particularly in Nigeria, the Holy Land, Lebanon and Ukraine.
He recently noted that persecution and displacement of Christians has intensified in several regions over the past year, with ACN directing emergency assistance, pastoral care and rebuilding support to communities affected by conflict and instability.
He said Australian solidarity events such as the Town Hall festival were vital both financially and spiritually for those enduring violence and discrimination for their faith.
It took place days after the deadly Bondi shootings and opened with a visit from Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who took part in a Bondi commemoration and wreath-laying alongside interfaith military chaplains and representatives of the NSW and federal governments.
Public celebrations followed, beginning with Carols for Peace, attended by more than 1,500 people and later broadcast to an audience exceeding 110,000 online and on television.
Performers included the Combined University Choir, Artes Christi Orchestra and Sydney University Regiment Pipes and Drums, with participation from Catholic universities and schools across Sydney.
Natalie Ambrose, coordinator of the University Catholic Chaplaincy, said the collaboration created a visible Catholic presence in the heart of the city.
“This was an incredible moment to come together with multiple Catholic organisations for the benefit of the wider Catholic community in Sydney,” she said.
“It was uplifting and memorable for all participants and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our faith in the middle of secular Sydney.”
The long-running Christmas on the Streets procession, now in its 11th year, also drew record numbers.
Organiser Tony Mattar said crowds swelled as participants leaving the carols joined the procession through the CBD behind a statue of the Sacred Heart, accompanied by Bishop Richard Umbers and a pipes-and-drums band.
For ACN, the festival builds on growing Australian engagement with persecuted Christians, including recent national campaigns highlighting violence in Africa and the Middle East. Toutounji said such awareness and fundraising efforts remain essential.
“It is truly humbling for ACN to be the charity partner of this beautiful carols ceremony and festival,” he said.
Organisers said more than $65,000 has now been raised for ACN through Carols for Peace and related events over the past two years, with hopes the festival will continue as an annual expression of faith and solidarity in Sydney’s CBD.
