Church to show solidarity with persecuted Christians

By CathNews New Zealand

November 10th, 2026

St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne coloured red. (Peter Casamento/Archdiocese of Melbourne)

For the first time, every Catholic Archdiocese across Australia and New Zealand is uniting in support of Aid to the Church in Need's (ACN) Red November campaign, marking a historic show of solidarity with millions of Christians worldwide who face persecution because of their faith.

The milestone comes as 32 dioceses across Australia and New Zealand, including every archdiocese and four of the Eastern Catholic eparchies, have confirmed their participation this year.

Diocesan participation has more than tripled since 2023, reflecting the growing resonance of this important cause and a desire to respond through prayer, solidarity and practical action.

Red November is a global initiative of ACN, a pontifical foundation supporting suffering and persecuted Christians worldwide. Each November, the campaign unites Catholics throughout the world in prayer and solidarity, shining a light on Christian persecution and inspiring practical action to support those suffering for their faith.

For Australian-based Cardinal Mykola Bychok, ACN’s Red November ambassador, the plight of persecuted Christians is personal. His homeland’s Ukrainian Catholic Church suffered more than 40 years of persecution under Soviet rule.

“When one member of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer. May our prayer, our public witness and our practical support remind our persecuted brothers and sisters that they are not alone,” Cardinal Bychok said.

The growing response comes as ACN’s recently released Persecuted and Forgotten? 2024-2026 report revealed that around 220 million Christians were directly exposed to persecution in 2023, with oppression worsening in 55 per cent of the countries surveyed.

Lukas Rajnoch, acting national director of ACN Australia and New Zealand, said the strong participation this year was a powerful expression of unity with Christians suffering for their faith.

Internationally, the campaign centres on Red Wednesday, November 18, when churches and iconic buildings are illuminated in red. In Australia and New Zealand, dioceses and parishes can participate on any suitable day throughout November and have been invited to do so.

The Catholic Diocese of Auckland plans to light the Pompallier Diocesan Centre red in visual support of Red November throughout November. Red Wednesday Mass will also be celebrated at the Pompallier Centre on November 18.

FULL STORY

ACN Australia – Historic first: Every Catholic Archdiocese across Australia and New Zealand unites for Red November (ACN Australia)

Red November (Catholic Diocese of Auckland/Facebook)