As Christians in Australia, it can feel overwhelming to hear about the persecution of Christians in distant lands. The problem seems too big, too far away, beyond what we can change.
Globally, more than 380 million Christians face persecution or discrimination for their faith. One in seven Christians lives in a country where living their faith is dangerous. Among our own parishioners are people from South Sudan, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and China, places where living as a Christian can come at great personal cost.
To better understand the issue, we asked two of our local priests, Fr Henry Onyirioha from Nigeria and Fr Uday Marneni from India, to share what Australians should know about the situation for Christians in their homelands, and how we can help.
Both Nigeria (seventh on the World Watch List) and India (eleventh) are secular nations that constitutionally guarantee religious freedom. Yet headlines and personal stories paint a very different picture.
In Nigeria, 106 million Christians, 46.5% of the population, face relentless attacks from Boko Haram and other extremist groups. Violent jihad is fuelled by distorted interpretations of Islamic teaching, while corrupt officials and the misuse of Sharia Law allow mobs and militias to act with impunity, using religion as a cover for violence and control. Despite being the largest religious group, Christians face escalating attacks. In 2021 alone, more Christians were killed in Nigeria for their faith than in the rest of the world combined.
Fr Henry, Assistant Priest at Kennington Parish, comes from Enugu in southern Nigeria, a region considered relatively safe. “Just two months ago, a priest in our neighbouring diocese of Nsukka was murdered,” he says. In the last decade, at least 145 Catholic priests have been kidnapped, 11 murdered, and four remain missing, not counting hundreds of attacks on clergy from other Christian denominations. “Kidnapping, killings, massacres during Mass, they’ve become everyday news,” says Fr Henry.
“The problem isn’t faith itself,” Fr Henry explains. “It’s the misinterpretation of faith for political gain. Sharia Law is often misused, giving hoodlums a licence to kill, and jihad is twisted into a promise of paradise for those who commit violence. Corruption makes it worse, and the government often seems powerless or even unwilling to intervene.”
In India, 30 million Christians, about 2.3% of the population, are increasingly under threat from Hindu nationalist extremists who seek to reshape society to exclude non-Hindus. Violence happens, but persecution is often more subtle, working through institutions like the judiciary, education and media, which have been co-opted by the extremists, allowing attacks against Christians and Muslims to continue with impunity. Restrictions on overseas funding have also made it much harder for faith-based charities to operate effectively. Over just two decades, religious minorities have been made to feel they no longer belong in a land their families have called home for centuries.
Fr Uday, Parish Priest of Kyabram and Tatura, sees remarkable parallels between Nigeria and India, where far-right Hindu ideology of Hindutva, misuses the peaceful and positive ethos of Hinduism for its own purposes. He also sees parallels in the courage of Christians. “People risk their safety every day to live their faith. Many could take an easier, safer path, but I believe they hold onto their faith because they have had a personal encounter with Christ; it is this encounter that gives them strength to endure.”
Fr Henry says Terrorists and mobs capitalise on the anti-violence stance of Christians. “They see Christians as helpless and weak,” he says. “But, we have a powerful weapon; our weapon is prayer, ‘Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth [Psalm 121]’ .”
Both priests want Australians to appreciate the religious freedom they are blessed with and to use their freedom to gather in prayer without fear, to pray for persecuted Christians. “We are all one body of Christ,” says Fr Uday. “Some of us live in safety, while others are persecuted. Those of us with freedom must stand with those who have none. Let our prayers bring them strength, courage and hope. If we don’t stand in solidarity, who will?”
“It’s important that Christians all over the world pray for each other,” says Fr Henry. “Christians facing persecution especially need to know that others are praying for them.”
So, if you’re feeling powerless to help, remember: You have the power of prayer, the right to gather with others in prayer; and, the freedom to stand publicly in solidarity with persecuted Christians without fear. Praying for persecuted Christians can sharpen our faith and humble us, reminding us how blessed we are to live in safety.
This November, join thousands worldwide, lifting up persecuted Christians as one family in Christ. Let us see God move in mighty ways, even in the most hostile places on earth to bring hope.
Red November Services in the Diocese of Sandhurst
SACRED HEART CHURCH, WODONGA
Tuesday, 18 November at 8.00 p.m.
A prayer service will be held. The Church will be illuminated in red.
MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS, HEATHCOTE
Wednesday, 19 November at 9.00 a.m.
Mass and Red Rosary
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL, BENDIGO
Wednesday, 19 November at 8.00 p.m.
A prayer service will be held in front of the St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Statue outside the Cathedral, facing High Street. The Cathedral will be illuminated in red.
