SEVENTY-FIVE percent of religious persecution in the world is against Christians, a new report by a UK-based Catholic organization has revealed.
AID to the Church in Need has launched a new report which reveals that Christians are the most persecuted religion in the world – with 75 percent of religious persecution being carried out against them.
The report titled ‘Persecuted and Forgotten?’ was officially launched by Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq, and Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh at an event in Glasgow on March 15.
Examining 33 countries, the report said that most of the persecution was occurring in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The report’s findings, labelled as ‘shocking and saddening’ by Cardinal O’Brien, underline the words of Pope Benedict XVI, who at the beginning of 2011 said: “Many Christians live in fear because of their pursuit of truth, their faith in Jesus Christ and their heartfelt plea for respect for religious freedom.”
China, Iran, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia figure top on the list. However, the report also reveals that countries such as Venezuela, Zimbabwe and even the Holy Land are guilty of religious persecution.
Christians face increased persecution in 22 countries among those examined, with Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan being among the worst countries for believers to live in. The report also says that now 100 million Christians worldwide are facing persecution.
In two-thirds of the countries where persecution of Christians is most severe, there are strong indications that the problem has worsened, the report claims.
Speaking about fears for the future of Christians in Iraq, Archbishop Warda said: “We wonder if we will survive as a people in our own country.
“The Persecuted and Forgotten?’ report and the work of Aid to Church in Need are critical to us as members of the worldwide Christian community. This information will significantly contribute to building international support and solidarity for Christians around the world where our human rights and our religious freedom have been stripped away.”
Ahead of the launch, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster said: “This book shows us the scale of suffering endured by Christians today. [In it] we encounter some of the remarkable people who are giving their lives in heroic witness to Christ.
“It is essential reading for those who care about the survival of Christianity… where the faithful are fleeing their homelands and the Church is at risk of disappearing.”
