Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – This Sunday, November 23, Solemnity of Christ the King, the Church in Chile will celebrate the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It will be a special moment to join in praying for Christians who, throughout the world, suffer persecutions, threats, and discrimination. In 2006, the Chilean Bishops' Conference declared the last second-to-the-last Sunday in November, the day to pray for this cause. Thus, it is a pastoral initiative of the country's Bishops, in a n effort to provide the faithful with updated information of the reality of persecution and suffering undergone by Christians throughout the world, as well as encourage all to remain faithful to Christ in spite of the difficulties, so that the persecution may end and for the conversion of the persecuters. All communities, families, movements, etc. are invited to pray in the Sunday Masses, in their homes, as a family, for all those who in our time give their lives for Christ.
In Santiago, a solemn Mass will be held at 12pm, in the National Shrine of Maipu (dedicated to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel), presided by Fr. Joaquin Alliende Luco, recently named International President of “Aid to the Church in Need.” The Mass will feature a new ritual with a red candle, symbolizing the suffering of the witnesses to the faith. In addition, during the month of November, throughout all Chile holy cards have been distributed with a prayer for the persecuted Church and to Our Lady of Sheshan, Patroness of China, for the faithful to take home with them. This year, they will especially prayer for the Catholic Bishops and faithful in China.
According to the most recent report, “Religious Freedom in the World 2008,” recently presented by Aid to the Church in Need (see Fides 24/10/2008), there continue to be attacks on religious freedom in over 60 countries. “ For many Catholics who lose their job for being baptized; families who are denied basic healthcare services and education for their faith in Christ or for baptizing their children. For them, whether you are on the coast, in the back-country, or in the National Shrine of Maipu, it is important that you support us with this prayer and that we pray together for all those brothers that live in a situation that is so different from our own.” This was the call made by the organizers to all the faithful of Chile. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2008)
