From Sydney to Santiago, Chile, Catholics across the globe are coming together this November to stand in solidarity with those who suffer for their faith.
Persecution and discrimination against Christians around the world is getting worse—that’s the stark warning from the pontifical charity that works with thousands of vulnerable Christian communities in 140 countries.
This coming 20 November will mark “Red Wednesday,” a commemoration held annually by Aid to the Church in Need to highlight the fact that today one in seven Christians face extreme hostility, violence and repression because of their faith in Christ.
In some countries, the observance is being extended throughout the week and is called a “Red Week.”
To highlight the plight of persecuted Christians and raise awareness of the need for world leaders to urgently act on religious freedom, cathedrals, churches and other public buildings and monuments will be highlighted in red—the traditional colour of martyrdom.
Participation in Australia and New Zealand has more than doubled this year, with many Australian dioceses lighting their cathedral in red with a particular focus on the suffering of Christians in the Middle East.
Twenty-four cathedrals across the two countries will participate, with most lighting up in red, holding Masses, prayer gatherings, and sharing testimonies of the persecuted.
This year for the first time all five Eastern Catholic eparchies are participating, many whose communities have or are currently fleeing persecution and conflict in their homelands.
St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney will be lit in red and hold a Mass on Red Wednesday, 20 November, at 5.30pm, with a presentation also given by Aid to the Church in Need Australia.
Bernard Toutounji, national director of Aid to the Church in Need Australia and New Zealand, said the increasing support shows growing awareness and concern for Christian persecution and is an important wake-up call to the west to not take their faith for granted.
“Red November is a time to acknowledge the terrible extent to which martyrdoms, massacres, and the mass exodus of Christians from their homelands is happening today due to worsening Christian persecution worldwide,” he said.
“Commemorating Red November is a sign of solidarity—the universality of our church demands that we do not let our brothers and sisters suffer in silence.
“The crimson red reminds us of blood-stained martyrs and burned-down churches. Their testimony and witness of faith challenges and inspires us to treasure and live out our own more deeply.”
Throughout Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, approximately 300 ACN events will take place in hundreds of cities.
In Ireland, the world’s tallest statue of St Patrick—atop the mountain Slieve Patrick—will be lit in red for the week. Organisers hope the fact that the statue will be seen in red for many miles will cause people to pause to think about the suffering of their fellow Christians.
Meanwhile, in Canada, the largest shrine to St Joseph in the world will be lit in red in commemoration.
A significant highlight of this year’s Red Week is the release of the 2024 edition of “Persecuted and Forgotten?” report. The ACN report examines the situation of Christians in 18 countries of particular concern regarding persecution, revealing that the conditions for Christians in the majority of these countries have either worsened or remained unchanged, with only one showing slight signs of improvement.
Chile, a country that has witnessed the repeated burning of churches, and Mexico, where priests have been killed for denouncing injustice and fighting for human dignity, will also participate in this global initiative.
In Great Britain, Catholic schools have been to the fore in expressing solidarity with suffering Christians, and many schools will log on to a special livestream and share their experiences.
Additionally, ACN will host events at the houses of Parliament in London and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to spotlight the hardships faced by displaced Christians, especially children, due to conflict and persecution worldwide.
Most of the activities and events for Red Wednesday will be taking place in Europe. Dozens of cathedrals in France, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany will be lit in red and host special liturgies.
Red Wednesday events have been confirmed in many other countries, including Portugal, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Malta, and the Philippines. In addition, Catholics on social media are urged to use the hashtag #RedWednesday and wear an item of red clothing or light a red candle in their home to show their concrete solidarity.
Additional reporting by Marilyn Rodrigues from the Catholic Weekly.
