Archbishop Eamon Martin has called on Irish Catholics to stand in solidarity with Christians persecuted for their faith [1] around the world ahead of ‘Red Wednesday’, which took place yesterday.
The Archbishop’s message comes as churches, cathedrals, and monuments across Ireland are illuminated in red as part of a week-long, ‘Week of Witness,’ organised by the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Red is the traditional colour of martyrdom, symbolising the blood of Christian martyrs who have died for their faith. The illumination of landmarks like Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh and the Basilica at the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, will be part of the global campaign to raise awareness of the growing persecution faced by Christians in various parts of the world.
In his statement, Archbishop Martin emphasised the staggering global statistics on Christian persecution, citing Pope Francis’ recent reminder that one in seven Christians globally faces violence or discrimination due to their faith.