St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne will host an evening of testimony, prayer and song to honour martyred Christians at the second annual “Night of the Witnesses” in November. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
An initiative of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the November 22 event will also stand in solidarity with the more than 200 million Christians worldwide who are suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Night of the Witnesses began at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris more than 15 years ago and it is now a regular feature in cities around the world, including Madrid, London, Washington, and Kraków.
“Last year, Canberrans welcomed this unique event to Australia’s shores. We were gratified to welcome a large number of people to St Christopher’s Cathedral who recognised the opportunity to pray and hear the stories of brothers and sisters who have paid the ultimate price for following Our Lord,” Bernard Toutounji, ACN Australia & New Zealand national director, said.
Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse, host of the inaugural event, said that Night of the Witnesses highlighted the reality that martyrdom is not something confined to the pages of history. “You might think the martyrs are from 500 years ago … No, this is not so. They are from 2017, 2014, 2020. We are living in a time of unprecedented martyrdom in parts of the world.”
Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli will preside over this year’s event.
“Giving public expression to God’s justice and mercy in the world and standing with Jesus in solidarity for the poor and persecuted, is a deeply Catholic thing to do,” Archbishop Comensoli said.
“I warmly encourage Catholics and all people of Melbourne and beyond, to join us for the Night of the Witnesses.”
Details: visit www.aidtochurch.org/notw
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Melbourne to host next Night of the Witnesses in solidarity with persecuted Christians (Melbourne Catholic)
