In a midday address during Angelus, the Holy Father urge prayers for the persecuted Christians of Iraq and India. Here is an excerpt of the Angelus Message of the Holy Father:
“At the end of the synodal assembly, the patriarchs of the Eastern Churches have raised a call, which I make my own, to bring the attention of the international community, of religious leaders and of all men and women of good will, to the tragedy that is being lived in the countries of the East, where Christians are victims of intolerance and cruel violence, slain, threatened, and forced to abandon their homes and wander in search of refuge. I am thinking especially in this moment of Iraq and India.
I am sure that the ancient and noble populations of these nations have learned, over the course of centuries of respectful coexistence, to appreciate the contribution that the small, but qualified and hardworking Christian minorities give to the growth of the common homeland. They do not ask for privileges, but only want to continue living in their nation with their countrymen, as they have always done. I ask the respective civil and religious authorities not to spare any effort so that legality and civil coexistence are again re-established and honest and loyal citizens can know that they can count on adequate protection from the institutions of the state. I also hope that the civil and religious leaders of all countries, aware of their roles as guides and reference points for the people, make significant and explicit gestures of friendship and consideration for Christian minorities or those of other religions, and that they make of the defense of their legitimate rights a question of honor.” [for more of these read the article from zenit.org.]
The Christians of India and Iraq indeed need our prayers. Their persecutions reminded us of the early history of Christians. These gloomy situation should not subdue our spirits but continue to trust in the Lord for He is in control of everything. There is a very interesting and inspiring passage from the Scripture that can serve as inspiration in time of persecution it is found in Romans 8: 35-39.
Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? Or distress? Or famine? Or nakedness? or danger? Or persecution? Or sword? ….But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, nor shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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