Chai Brady
Martina Purdy, Elaine Kelly and lighting designer Ciáran Kelly stand outside St
Patrick’s Church which was lit red for Red Wednesday in Downpatrick, Co. Down. Churches across Ireland were illuminated red last week to highlight the continuing persecution of Christians around the world.
The initiative was inspired by the charity Aid to a Church in Need which supports Christians facing intimidation, torture and even death.
St Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick, Co. Down along with the crucifixion scene outside, were lit blood red from 8pm for seven nights. This was done during the ‘Week of Witness’ which is a global initiative and ran from November 25 to December 1.
“Our red church on St Patrick’s Avenue has been a reminder that Christians continue to shed their blood for their faith,” said Fr John Murray PP. “And this stark image has certainly been noticed by the people passing. A group of young people even got out of their car one evening to take photos.
“When one Christian suffers, the whole church suffers because we are the body of Christ. Too often this persecution is hidden and not highlighted. It’s important to shine a light in this darkness,” he said.
A new Dublin group called ‘Stop the Persecution of Christians D15’ was set up this year to highlight the issue.
They held a series of events during the Week of Witness and pushed for the illumination of church exteriors throughout West Dublin on Red Wednesday, November 25.
They featured a guest speaker Fr Peter Johnson after Mass in Our Lady Mother of the Church on Sunday November 22, who spoke about the current persecution in his native Nigeria.
Praying the Rosary and prayer vigils were held during the Week of Witness and they coordinated the ringing of church bells at 3pm on Friday November 27. Information leaflets were given to schools and members of the public.
Famous landmarks that have been illuminated red in recent years to highlight this issue include The House of Parliament in London, the Colosseum in Rome, where Christians were put to death, the statute of Christ the Redeemer in Rio Brazil, St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne and the Vatican.
It is estimated that many thousands of Christians are martyred every year for their faith and 245 million Christian face serious forms of persecution in more than 70 countries, including imprisonment and torture.