Today is Red Wednesday designated by Aid to the Church in need to “Come together for prayer, music, light and hope” for persecuted Catholics throughout the world.

Violence Against Christians on the Rise

POPE Leo XIV has stressed the importance of Aid to the Church in Need’s commitment to supporting persecuted Christians at a time when they and other religious minorities are falling victim to increased violence and discrimination.

At a private audience (Friday, 10th October) in the Vatican with leaders and other senior staff from the Catholic charity, the Pontiff stressed the centrality of religious freedom as a fundamental human right.  

Attending the meeting was Dr Caroline Hull, National Director, ACN (UK), who presented the Pope with an icon from Ukraine, where the charity has provided significant spiritual and emergency support.

In his address, the Pope told the ACN delegation: “Your visit is timely, for our world continues to witness rising hostility and violence against those who hold different convictions, including many Christians.
“In contrast, your mission proclaims that, as one family in Christ, we do not abandon our persecuted brothers and sisters.
“Rather, we remember them, we stand with them, and we labour to secure their God-given freedoms.”

The Holy Father underlined that “the right to religious freedom is not optional but essential”, describing it as “a cornerstone of any just society, for it safeguards the moral space in which conscience may be formed and exercised”.

He added: “Religious freedom, therefore, is not merely a legal right or a privilege granted to us by governments.
“It is a foundational condition that makes authentic reconciliation possible.”

Pope Leo XIV also recalled the origins of ACN, which was founded in 1947, saying its mission has always been to “foster forgiveness and reconciliation, and to accompany and give a voice to the Church wherever she is in need, wherever she is threatened, wherever she suffers”.

The American Pope, who has dual nationality with Peru, also expressed his gratitude for the support he received from ACN between 2014 and 2023 when he served the Diocese of Chiclayo.

He added: “Your commitment also extends to supporting the Church’s mission across the world by reaching communities that are too often isolated, marginalised or under pressure.

“Wherever Aid to the Church in Need rebuilds a chapel, supports a religious sister, or provides for a radio station or a vehicle, you strengthen the life of the Church, as well as the spiritual and moral fabric of society.”

National Director Dr Caroline Hull said it was an “honour representing ACN (UK) benefactors and staff” as she presented the pontiff with the icon of Our Lady of Victories, a copy of the original which was blessed on Tuesday (7th) at a cathedral in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Dr Hull said: “To be in a room with 27 ACN staff and trustees from around the world and the Holy Father was a once in a lifetime experience—when I bowed my head for his final blessing, I did it not for myself, but I stood for all ACN benefactors and staff in the UK.

“I had the privilege of presenting Pope Leo with a copy of an icon of Our Lady of Victories.
“This beautiful icon was written by an ACN project partner in Ukraine.”

The delegation on Friday morning was led by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, ACN’s International President, and Regina Lynch, Executive President, and included representatives from many of its 23 national offices.

In the Gospel at Mass this Sunday Jesus says something astounding and perplexing which neither the Jewish authorities or his apostles understood.  

Jesus had just chased the merchants from the outer court of the Temple, those who were selling oxen, and sheep and pigeons and the money – changers and poured out their coins and turned over their tables, saying “Take these things away: do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”

We may think this was done on the spur of the moment but the facts suggest otherwise. Jesus sat there and made whip out of cords. ‘His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”’ This was a deliberate act and when the Jewish authorities asked him what sign he could show for doing these things, Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Jesus’ reply was taken literally whereas he was speaking about the temple of his body which the apostles understood only after his Resurrection.

His death on the cross for sins and his Resurrection would change everything for humankind for always.

In the second reading for this Sunday, St Paul says to the Corinthian Christians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you. If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are God’s temple.” (1 Corinthians, 3:9c-11, 16-17)

In the Eucharist Christ becomes truly present. We encounter him and become one with him.  

More about the Eucharist is explained in my book, “Sursum Corda the Mass in my life,” published by New Life Publishing, www.goodnewsbooks.net just type in the title.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

This line is from the teaching of Jesus known as the Beatitudes from Matthew (Chapter 5. 1-10) which is the Gospel for today, the Feast All Saints, when we celebrate the lives all those with God in heaven. We now move into November when in the Catholic Church we pray for our loved ones who have departed from this life.

The beatitudes express states of highest blessing or happiness in the hearts of those living the good news which Jesus came to bring for everyone.

Peacemakers are those who look for reconciliation with God and who help others to reconcile.

When we look around and see discord in families, among colleagues and other contacts and armed conflicts bringing death and destruction in parts of the world featured in the news each day, we see how following this guide to happiness could change the world.

Peace must surely come. Let it begin in our own heart.