But, Christian deaths aren't news!
By now, everybody knows that just one week ago a huge fire engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and much of the structure that goes back 850 years has been destroyed. This is a tragedy not just for Catholics but for the world because the building represents both history and a record of Western values. These are the foundations of the culture. The MSM had to cover the event. But the bigger story remains untold: the world-wide persecution of Christians. The narrative isn't politically correct.
What happened to Notre Dame is happening to millions of Christians world wide: the Body of Christ is under attack today. In many countries today to practice the Christian faith is to to put one's life in danger. Again, we all know about Asia Bibi from Pakistan who was accused of blasphemy. The supreme court acquitted her but many continue to want her killed. And Bibi is only the tip of this very dangerous iceberg.
On Easter Sunday nearly 300 Christians were murdered by suicide bombers and over 500 others injured in a number of churches in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka police holds responsible the National Thowaheeth Jama'ath, a radical Islamic group for the killings. Notre Dame was a building but those killed in this tragedy were people, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and children.
The killing and persecution of Christians is taking place in many parts of the world. Open Doors Canada lists fifty countries where the attack on Christians is worst. The the top ten nations where it's most dangerous to live as a Christian are: North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, and India. Open Doors issues an Annual Watch List that gives each country a persecution score of high, very high and extreme.
What does Open Doors do? Here's their mission: "For more than 60 years Open Doors has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ's light in these places. When Christians are strengthened in the Lord, they begin to demonstrate God's forgiveness and reach out in love, even to their oppressors. One of the greatest challenges to Christians living under oppression is isolation - from God's word and from the body of Christ."
Open Doors Canada in 2019 has worked to get MPs, Members of Parliament, to become aware of the issue. The Executive Director Rev. Gary Stagg points to the fact that tens of millions of Christians are daily at risk of persecution around the world. He says that we need to publicly speak up and push for government involvement behalf of those who suffer for their faith. He's right.
The MSM will not tell this story. Most politicians will not touch the issue because it's not politically correct. Even our parishes and Christian leaders have been mostly silent. So, re-building Notre Dame without reviving and protecting those that are living the faith will not accomplish much. The faith is not found in relics and structures regardless of their long history and beauty. St. Francis proved this long ago when he was told by Christ to rebuild the church of St. Damiano. The saint quickly realized that it wasn't the building that was in need of major repairs but the people who were not living the faith. It was a question of evangelizing. The West too has been swallowed by atheism, materialiam, relativism and political correctness.
The worldwide attack on Christians is the biggest untold story of our times. Our brothers and sisters in the faith are suffering, persecuted and even killed for the faith. The Sri Lanka massacre is the latest tragedy. It’s not just churches that are being attacked and vandalized but the believers. Let’s pray for those who put their daily lives in danger for saying yes to Christ. They have no voice. Let's not be afraid to speak out and hold our political and religious leaders accountable. And donate to organizations like Open Doors and CNEWA that are trying to help. We end with the wise words of St. Paul, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
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| Sri Lanka churches bombed, nearly 300 killed |
What happened to Notre Dame is happening to millions of Christians world wide: the Body of Christ is under attack today. In many countries today to practice the Christian faith is to to put one's life in danger. Again, we all know about Asia Bibi from Pakistan who was accused of blasphemy. The supreme court acquitted her but many continue to want her killed. And Bibi is only the tip of this very dangerous iceberg.
On Easter Sunday nearly 300 Christians were murdered by suicide bombers and over 500 others injured in a number of churches in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka police holds responsible the National Thowaheeth Jama'ath, a radical Islamic group for the killings. Notre Dame was a building but those killed in this tragedy were people, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and children.
The killing and persecution of Christians is taking place in many parts of the world. Open Doors Canada lists fifty countries where the attack on Christians is worst. The the top ten nations where it's most dangerous to live as a Christian are: North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, and India. Open Doors issues an Annual Watch List that gives each country a persecution score of high, very high and extreme.
What does Open Doors do? Here's their mission: "For more than 60 years Open Doors has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ's light in these places. When Christians are strengthened in the Lord, they begin to demonstrate God's forgiveness and reach out in love, even to their oppressors. One of the greatest challenges to Christians living under oppression is isolation - from God's word and from the body of Christ."
Open Doors Canada in 2019 has worked to get MPs, Members of Parliament, to become aware of the issue. The Executive Director Rev. Gary Stagg points to the fact that tens of millions of Christians are daily at risk of persecution around the world. He says that we need to publicly speak up and push for government involvement behalf of those who suffer for their faith. He's right.
The MSM will not tell this story. Most politicians will not touch the issue because it's not politically correct. Even our parishes and Christian leaders have been mostly silent. So, re-building Notre Dame without reviving and protecting those that are living the faith will not accomplish much. The faith is not found in relics and structures regardless of their long history and beauty. St. Francis proved this long ago when he was told by Christ to rebuild the church of St. Damiano. The saint quickly realized that it wasn't the building that was in need of major repairs but the people who were not living the faith. It was a question of evangelizing. The West too has been swallowed by atheism, materialiam, relativism and political correctness.
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Comments are subject to deletion if they are not germane. I have no problem with a bit of colourful language, but blasphemy or depraved profanity will not be allowed. Attacks on the Catholic Faith will not be tolerated. Comments will be deleted that are republican (Yanks! Note the lower case 'r'!), attacks on the legitimacy of Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ (I know he's a material heretic and a Protector of Perverts, and I definitely want him gone yesterday! However, he is Pope, and I pray for him every day.), the legitimacy of the House of Windsor or of the claims of the Elder Line of the House of France, or attacks on the legitimacy of any of the currently ruling Houses of Europe.