More than half of the dioceses in Australia and New Zealand are participating in Red November this month to show solidarity with persecuted Christians suffering increased violence, persecution and human rights abuses worldwide. Source: ACN.
This month, thousands of people will be taking a moment to remember, pray for and support Christians suffering persecution around the world. Twenty-four cathedrals in Australia and New Zealand will be participating, with most lighting up in red, holding Masses, prayer gatherings, and sharing testimonies of the persecuted.
Red November is founded upon the international annual event, Red Wednesday (November 20), begun by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in 2015 in a global movement to shed light on the suffering of Christians and advocate for faith and freedom.
Participation in Australia and New Zealand has more than doubled since last year, with 15 cathedrals joining for the first time this year. All five Eastern Catholic Eparchies are participating, many of whose communities have been affected by persecution in their traditional homeland. Given the ongoing conflicts, this year’s national focus will be on supporting Christians in the Holy Land.
Bernard Toutounji, National Director of ACN 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,” Mr Toutounji 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.”
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Australian and New Zealand cathedrals light in red for persecuted Christians (Aid to the Church in Need)
