Historic gathering of global Christian leaders urges churches and governments to address growing concern for persecution of Christians

 — Nov. 7, 20157 nov. 2015

An historic consultation of church leaders, drawn from 56 nations, to focus on intensifying ‘discrimination, persecution and violence’ against Christian communities around the world has called on churches globally to pray, support and be in solidarity with those suffering persecution due to their faith. In a two pronged response the leaders:

In a greeting from the Vatican, Pope Francis said, “I think with great sadness of the escalating discrimination, and persecution against Christians in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and elsewhere throughout the world. “In various parts of the world, the witness to Christ, even to the shedding of blood, has become a shared experience of Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals,” he said. The consultation also called on governments to “respect and protect the freedom of religion and belief of all people as a fundamental human right.”

In a public message from the consultation, participants called on:

The historic gathering was the first time in modern history that every stream of global Christianity had joined together to listen and learn from Christians who experience discrimination, persecution and violence. The consultation was an initiative of the Global Christian Forum and supported by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican), the World Evangelical Alliance, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, and the World Council of Churches. It was held in Tirana, Albania, 2-4 November.

Posted: Nov. 7, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8857
Categories: Communiqué, NewsIn this article: Global Christian Forum, persecution, religious freedom
Transmis : 7 nov. 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8857
Catégorie : Communiqué, NewsDans cet article : Global Christian Forum, persecution, religious freedom


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