Standing with persecuted Christians

Hundreds of cathedrals, churches, monuments, and public buildings around the world lit up in red on 20 November as part of the international #RedWednesday annual campaign organized by the papal foundation Aid to the Church in Need ( acn ).

The initiative was first launched by the Catholic charity in 2016 to shed light on the reality of anti-Christian persecution and emphasize the importance of religious freedom as a fundamental human right. Since then, participation in the campaign has increased steadily, with Christians gathering all over the globe to pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters in faith.

Some 300 events are taking place in more than 20 countries, including Masses, talks, livestreams, concerts, and parliamentary discussions, running throughout the week from 18 to 24 November. The United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Mexico, Chile and Colombia are among the countries taking part.

This year’s campaign focuses on Christian children and young people displaced by persecution and violent conflict in Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere, explained acn national director Caroline Hull.

According to acn ’s latest biennial report, “Persecuted and Forgotten?”, published in October, Christian persecution has significantly worsened in most countries surveyed between 2022 and 2024. The report highlights displacement, forced marriage of women and girls, and anti-conversion laws.