It is so encouraging in these unsettled times to hear world leaders express support for persecuted Christians!
The Queen has sent a message of support to Coptic Christians at the annual Coptic New Year service in London. In a statement read at St Margaret’s Church in Westminster, the Queen said it was an “opportunity to remember all those around the world who suffer hardship on account of their faith, especially in recent times. They remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
The service, to celebrate the Feast of Nayrouz, the beginning of the Coptic New Year, drew attention to the persecution of people for their faith and the importance of standing firm for the right to freedom of religion and belief.
Prince Charles’ message also reflected the importance of gathering together as “an essential part of religious and community life. It helps us feel connected, not just at an individual level but, importantly, to something larger than ourselves”.
He said: “As communities around the world continue to face persecution and endure dreadful hardship for their faith, I join you today in prayer for all those who continue to suffer injustice and religious persecution.”
In his message, the Prime Minister said the Government was committed to respecting religious freedom and belief: “As you commemorate the lives of so many who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their faith or belief, it is important for us to remember that faith groups continue to suffer persecution around the world. Respect for people of faiths is of fundamental importance to Her Majesty’s Government.”
Winter Olympics venue tainted
Chongli, a popular resort town in northern China, will host the main events of skiing during the upcoming Winter Olympics from February 4 – 22, 2022. This beautiful town beholds a dark history of the brutal persecution and massacre of Catholics in the region during the imperial and communist regimes. Persecution of the Catholic Church is still going on, including imprisonment of their priests.
Back in 2020, a coalition of human rights groups delivered a demand to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach to “reverse its mistake in awarding Beijing the honor of hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 2022.”
The letter said that the 2008 Olympics had failed to improve China’s human rights record even though the IOC had argued the 2008 Olympics would transform China. Since then, China has half a million Tibetans in forced labour camps and incarcerated more than a million Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim ethnic group, in the Xinjiang region. It listed a litany of other alleged abuses from Hong Kong to the Inner Mongolia region, as well as the intimidation of Taiwan and attacking Christians.
Despite protests and boycotts, the Winter Olympics will go ahead in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic and amid diplomatic boycotts by the West due to constant trampling of human rights and an intensified crackdown on religious freedom.
In the face of mounting global criticism, Beijing has effectively doubled-down. It will likely continue to use international forums to stymie concerns, as it already has regarding its human rights record, and isolate countries in order to maximize its game of intimidation and coercion.
And yet, even in China, the Word of God is living and active, and where it goes out, it doesn’t come back empty.
Forty years ago, Open Doors smuggled one million Bibles into China overnight, in an operation called, ‘Project Pearl’. Those Bibles ended up in the hands of secret believers in every province in China, equipping the church and fueling revival.
“This project has had a tremendous impact on the development of Chinese churches,” said one believer. “Many churches rose, thousands accepted Jesus and many leaders were born because they finally had their Bibles.
Don’t forget Afghanistan
Due to the radical-Islamic foundation of the Taliban, Christians living in Afghanistan are facing violence, torture, and even death.The recently-released 2022 World Watch List now ranks Afghanistan as the most dangerous place for Christians.Whilst many Christians fled Afghanistan last year - many more remain. Those remaining are the 'underground Church' in Afghanistan, and they continue to be light inside the darkest darkness.
Saad and Fatimah are two secret believers who chose to stay in Afghanistan after the Taliban took control in August. The same night of the takeover, they gave birth to a baby girl. Now, Taliban soldiers go from house to house looking for Christians. A list has been circulating with Saad and Fatimah’s names on it.
Fatimah told us it’s not an option to follow Jesus in public. But the pain of living for Jesus is nothing new, as their families practised their Christian faith in the shadows for more than 40 years. Together they plan to help feed the hungry, clothe people, and share the gospel.
“I do not know where to begin,” her husband Saad said, “but I will begin by encouraging my wife that there is hope for our daughter…It will not be easy, but we do this because we believe Jesus is alive.”
Aira Chilcott is a retired secondary school teacher with lots of science andtheology under her belt. Aira is an editor for PSI and indulges inreading, bushwalking and volunteering at a nature reserve. Aira’s husband Bill passed away in 2022 and she is left with three wonderful adult sons and one grandson.
Aira Chilcott's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/aira-chilcott.html