Persecuted Christians need you

Distributing aid in Homs church compound

Events highlighting the persecution of Christians in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere around the world are being planned for later this month and into the spring.

The programme, organised by Aid to the Church in Need, coincides with the launch of the Catholic charity's 'Persecuted Christians Need You' campaign aimed at encouraging prayer, information-sharing and support for those who suffer for their faith.

ACN's Patricia Hatton, who devised the 'Persecuted Christians Need You' initiative, said: "In many countries - especially Syria and Iraq - Christians are under threat as never before and yet they feel invisible - with their stories untold and their voices unheard.

"We want to help give them a voice by asking individuals, parishes and groups to show solidarity and join us in distributing our new 'Persecuted Christians Need You' leaflet - available from 21st March - and to spread the word that suffering Christians urgently need our prayers and compassion."

The initiative comes in response to mounting evidence from ACN and other organisations showing the extent of oppression against Christians and other minorities.

Crimes against Christians and other minorities are being increasingly recognised as genocide according to the UN definition of the term, with a campaign building momentum to persuade governments to take action against perpetrators of persecution and increase support for victims.

Meanwhile, Aid to the Church in Need has 140 ongoing projects in the Middle East providing emergency and pastoral support. The charity's work for persecuted Christians will be a key focus of ACN's line-up of 'Persecuted Christians Need You' activities:

Friday, 11th March, 7pm: Our Lady's Church, Bryn, near Wigan WN4 0LZ. Talk on the persecuted Church by Dr Caroline Hull and Stations of the Cross with persecution theme.

Friday, 18th March, 6.45pm: Farm Street Church Hall, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH. ACN's John Pontifex reports back from Syria. Entrance free, refreshments available.

Friday, 18th March, 7pm: St John's Church, 98 Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire FY6 7HT. Talk on the persecuted Church by Dr Caroline Hull and Stations of the Cross with persecution theme.

Monday, 21st March, 7pm: St Patrick's Church, 21a Soho Square, London W1D 4NR. A Holy Week Way of the Cross Service with the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School introduced by Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director, Aid to the Church in Need (UK), and with first-hand testimonies of persecution from Iraq and Syria. Refreshments available.

Sunday, 17th April, 5.30pm Holy Name Church, 339 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PG. ONE NIGHT. 5pm: Syria and Iraq eyewitness account by John Pontifex; 5.50pm: Blessing of ONE NIGHT icon followed by silent prayer; 7pm: Holy Mass.

Entrance to all events is free and at each there will be a retiring collection for Aid to the Church in Need.

Please register your interest for any of the London events by contacting Johnny Dowling at john.dowling@acnuk.org or 020 8642 8668.

To register your interest for the Bryn, Poulton and Manchester events, contact Catherine Hanley 01524 388739 catherine.hanley@acnuk.org