Persecuted Christians all over the world were remembered by Archbishop Eamon Martin at a special mass yesterday to mark ‘Red Wednesday’. The global event expresses solidarity with Christians worldwide who are suffering because of their faith.

The Archbishop also urged people in Ireland to be prophetic in preaching the Gospel, “even when it brings ridicule, insult, criticism or leads to our being ostracised in public discourse.” Quoting Pope Francis, he said that in addition to the bloody “red martyrdom” suffered by Christians throughout the world who die for their faith, many others, in democratic countries, experience “white martyrdom” because their freedom of religion is restricted.

He said Christians should not be afraid to hold and teach our convictions about, for example, the dignity of the person and the sacredness of all human life.

He continued: “In post-referendum Ireland, it remains as important as ever to affirm the sanctity of all human life, and to remind people that the direct and intentional taking of the life of any innocent human being is always gravely wrong.  Sadly we must now do this in a context where we might be shouted down, told to “go away”, or even have our right to freedom of conscience and religion questioned because they do not “fit in” with the prevailing attitudes and opinions around us.”