Prayer, the bond that unites

Red Wednesday – 23 November 2022

In 1947 an organisation called Aid to the Church in Need was established.  It was the end of the Second World War, millions of men, women and children were displaced from their homes.  An appeal began for the exiled war refugees and in acknowledgement of the work and mission of Aid to the Church in Need, Pope Benedict XVI raised the charity to the level of a Pontifical Foundation in 2011.  Pope Benedict stated that Aid to the Church in Need had “turned out to be one of the most important Catholic charities”.  Today Aid to the Church in Need is the only international Catholic charity dedicated to suffering Christians wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  

The Red Wednesday campaign began in 2015 where cathedrals, churches and public buildings around the world lit up in red to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Red Wednesday is a day that calls for action and does not focus entirely on persecuted Christians who are Catholics but on all others of the Christian faith.  Red symbolises martyrdom. 

Aid to the Church in Need Australia joined the commemorations in 2018 with several Australian dioceses participating in recent years.  

Sadly, there are millions of people around the world who are robbed of their religious freedom and are persecuted for their beliefs.  Those of us who have the freedom to practice our faith now have an opportunity to stand up for those who do not.  

Prayer is the bond that unites us in love and solidarity, and we are all are welcome to St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Place, East Melbourne for a Prayer Vigil with Exposition on Wednesday, 23 November at 7.30 pm.  Together with many other cathedrals and churches around the world, St Patrick’s Cathedral will be floodlight in red on this night.  

Both the church and the world have evolved much since 1947 but the needs of today are just as great.  

With thanks to Aid to the Church in Need Australia 

By Kate Baines

 

Annual Appeals Outreach

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Mary Barbuto

Thanks Kate for reminding us of our Christian sisters and brothers around the world whose lives are in danger because advocate for justice an equity for the marginalized.

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