Paul KeenanLack of response despite high number of attacks
A leading archbishop has accused governments in Europe of ignoring ongoing persecution of Christians.
Speaking in Switzerland as he undertook a pilgrimage, Archbishop Georg Ganswein, prefect of the Papal Household pointed out that while acts of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are “justly denounced by media and politicians”, such responses were notably absent in attacks on the Christina community, despite the high incidences of attacks.
“Only a few member states of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe report about cases against Christians within their borders, while discrimination against other social groups are regularly reported,” he said.
Archbishop Ganswein further pointed to a 2012 report of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe, which found that of 285 crimes against religion reported in Sweden, 250 were committed against Christians.
He also mentioned acts of vandalism against Christian churches and symbols in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Hungary, and workplace discrimination in Britain and Norway against Christians.
Archbishop Ganswein lamented that a radical and “militant secularity” has developed in Europe, one which aims “to silence Christians” and “to marginalise religion”.