More martyrs today than in early Church: Cardinal

During a recent pilgrimage for persecuted Christians in Einsiedeln in Switzerland, Cardinal Koch, who is also Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Unity, reflected on contemporary martyrdom.

“Martyrdom truly belongs to the heart of Christianity. Today, there are more martyrs than in the first centuries of Church history,” he said.

The cardinal also emphasised that persecuted Christians offer a powerful witness to Christian unity today.

“Dictators do not distinguish between Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans or Protestants,” he said, recalling Pope Francis’ expression, “the ecumenism of blood”.

“The blood that has been shed unites Christians beyond their divisions,” Cardinal Koch said. “Christians are not persecuted because they belong to a particular Church, but because of their faith in Christ.”

During the pilgrimage, special prayers were offered for victims of persecution and violence in countries such as Iraq, Haiti, Pakistan and Indonesia. Participants prayed for Christian communities suffering discrimination, forced displacement, abduction and violence because of their faith.

In an interview with ACN, the cardinal reaffirmed the importance of standing in solidarity with suffering Christian communities and underlined ACN’s commitment to supporting the persecuted, discriminated against and suffering Church throughout the world.

ACN is a pontifical foundation supporting Christians wherever they are persecuted, discriminated against or suffering pastoral need. ACN funds more than 5000 projects each year in around 130 countries worldwide.

FULL STORY

Cardinal Kurt Koch: More martyrs today than in the early Church (María Lozano/Aid to the Church in Need)

Cardinal Koch Named New ACN President (EWTN News)

Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity