Friday, July 25, 2014

Christian Persecution


Fr. Dale Matson

Ayaan Hirsi Ali wrote the following as part of a larger piece in Newsweek in 2012. The distressing reality of her comments continues today and has increased.

The Global War on Christians in the Muslim World
“The portrayal of Muslims as victims or heroes is at best partially accurate. In recent years the violent oppression of Christian minorities has become the norm in Muslim-majority nations stretching from West Africa and the Middle East to South Asia and Oceania. In some countries it is governments and their agents that have burned churches and imprisoned parishioners. In others, rebel groups and vigilantes have taken matters into their own hands, murdering Christians and driving them from regions where their roots go back centuries.” http://www.newsweek.com/ayaan-hirsi-alithe-global-war-christians-muslim-world-65817

The recent events in Iraq underline the facts that to be a Christian in Muslim majority countries means being ready to give up everything you have including your life.

I am deeply sorrowed by these events. My heart is heavy for my brother and sister Christians around the world. More and more it is evident to me that we are coming to the end of this age. I have thought about a prayer but the words of a song come to mind and give me comfort.

Peace be to you and grace from Him
Who freed us from our sin Who loved us all, and shed his blood
That we might saved be.
Sing holy, holy to our Lord
The Lord almighty God Who was and is, and is to come
Sing holy, holy Lord.
Rejoice in heaven,
all ye that dwell therein
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below
For Christ is coming,
Is coming soon
For Christ is coming soon.
E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come
And night shall be no more
They need no light, no lamp, nor sun
For Christ will be their All! – Paul Mantz

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