Amy Mek
Today, November 20, marks “Red Wednesday,” an annual initiative organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to bring global attention to the harsh reality that one in seven Christians faces extreme hostility, violence, and repression for their faith in Christ. In many countries, this observance has expanded into a week-long event called “Red Week”, which seeks to amplify awareness of the plight of persecuted Christians and call for action.
Around the world today, countless Christians face discrimination, persecution, and even violence simply for their faith in Christ. They stand firm amidst threats from Islamic jihadism, authoritarian regimes, Marxist ideologies, and brutal dictatorships—forces that seek to silence and oppress them.
During this week, iconic landmarks and religious buildings across the globe are illuminated in red—the color symbolizing martyrdom—as a powerful reminder of the suffering endured by millions of Christians worldwide.
A Worldwide Initiative Spanning Continents
From Sydney to Santiago, Catholics and communities of faith are standing in solidarity with persecuted Christians this November. Events for Red Week and Red Wednesday are taking place across Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and beyond. ACN estimates over 300 events in hundreds of cities worldwide.
In Ireland, the world’s tallest statue of St. Patrick atop Slieve Patrick will be illuminated in red, visible for miles as a poignant reminder of Christian suffering. Canada’s largest shrine to St. Joseph will join the movement, bathing its iconic structure in red light. In Australia, dioceses are focusing on the suffering of Middle Eastern Christians, many of whom have fled their ancestral homelands and settled in Australia.
Across the Americas, Chile—where churches have repeatedly been burned—and Mexico—where priests have been killed for denouncing injustice—are active participants in the initiative. Catholic schools will host live-streamed events in Great Britain, while key gatherings at both the British and Scottish Parliaments will highlight the struggles of displaced Christians and their families.
Participation Across the U.S.
Though initially rooted in Europe, Red Week has extended its reach to the United States, where churches and religious organizations have joined the effort to highlight Christian persecution. Events in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles include prayer services, educational programs, and the illumination of churches in red to symbolize the blood of martyrs. U.S. participants join millions worldwide in calling for action to safeguard religious freedom.
New Insights from ACN’s 2024 Report
This year’s Red Week coincides with the release of ACN’s 2024 edition of “Persecuted and Forgotten?”, a comprehensive report analyzing the state of Christian persecution in 18 countries of concern. The findings are alarming: conditions for Christians in most of these countries have either worsened or remained critically dire, with only one showing minor improvement.
The report highlights several troubling trends, including the growing dominance of Islam in Africa, which has shifted the epicenter of Islamic violence from the Middle East to African nations like Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Mozambique. Other regions, from Nicaragua in Latin America to Myanmar in Asia, are also experiencing significant increases in religious repression. The report highlights the urgent need for global action to defend religious freedom and protect vulnerable Christian communities.
Global Solidarity in Action
Throughout Red Week, cathedrals and landmarks across Europe—including in France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland—will host special liturgies and be illuminated in red. The Colosseum in Rome, an enduring symbol of Christian martyrdom, will again glow red, representing the blood of those who have sacrificed their lives for their faith.
ACN has also urged Catholics to show solidarity in smaller but meaningful ways. By wearing red, lighting red candles at home, or using the hashtag #RedWednesday on social media, individuals can help amplify the voices of persecuted Christians and ensure their struggles are not forgotten.
“A Call to Wake Up the World”
Nathalie Chambon, ACN’s event manager, emphasized the campaign’s mission:
“We want people to open their eyes to these persecutions. Christians are asking us to be their voice. It is our duty to pray for them, support them, and tell their stories.” She also highlighted how the steadfast faith of persecuted Christians serves as a powerful example for believers in the West, where faith is often taken for granted.
Father François Dedieu, a parish priest in France, echoed these sentiments:
“These realities are not widely shared in the media, leaving many to believe everything is fine. But Christians worldwide are suffering violence, repression, and displacement simply for their faith.”
A Unified Call for Action
Red Week is a sobering yet unifying initiative, reminding the world of the hardships faced by 360 million Christians. As landmarks from Rio to Rome, Sydney to Santiago light up in red, this global effort calls on individuals, communities, and world leaders to act. Aid to the Church in Need invites everyone to participate—whether by attending events, lighting a red candle, or spreading awareness through social media.
ACN Director Benoît de Blanpré encouraged action: “Let us gather to show persecuted Christians that they are not forgotten, that they are in our prayers, and that we stand in solidarity with them.”
By standing together, the global community can amplify the voices of the silenced and help ensure that no Christian suffers alone.
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