ACN Ireland Week of Witness for Persecuted Christians: Sunday 19 – Sunday 26 November 2023
This year, the ACN Ireland Week of Witness will be held between Sunday 19th and Sunday 26th of November. The Week of Witness is an invitation to Christians across the island of Ireland to stand in solidarity with and bear witness to the heroic example of our persecuted brothers and sisters in faith across the world.
You are invited to pray for peace and offer hope in the midst of persecution, war, and violence.
Red Wednesday: 22 November 2023
Red Wednesday is a special day where we raise awareness of the plight of persecuted Christians throughout the world. It is an invitation to Christians to stand in solidarity with and bear witness to the heroic example of our persecuted brothers and sisters in so many parts of the world. It is also an opportunity to pray for persecuted Christians and their persecutors.
The Irish Bishops are encouraging dioceses and parishes to avail of Red Wednesday November as an opportunity to highlight the persecution of Christians worldwide and, where possible, to offer prayers and to light up cathedrals and churches in red around Ireland on that evening.
In 2022, advocacy group Open Doors said that at least 360 million Christians experienced “high levels of persecution and discrimination.” This was 20 million higher than 2021. The group also estimated that the number of Christians killed for their faith rose to 5,898 in 2022, up from 4,761 in 2021.