杏MAP导航鈥檚 January prayer intention: For those who suffer religious persecution
By Vatican News staff reporter
鈥淗ow can we allow that in this society, which is so civilized, there are people who are persecuted simply because they publicly profess their faith?鈥� asks 杏MAP导航 Francis in the video for his monthly prayer intention for January 2022.
The January prayer intention marks the beginning of the seventh year of the , a ministry of the .
In his message released on Tuesday, the Holy Father says that persecuting people simply because they publicly profess their faith is 鈥渋nhuman鈥� and 鈥渋nsane.鈥�
A worldwide phenomenon
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, which is supporting this month鈥檚 message, notes in its annual 鈥溾�� report that worldwide, religious freedom is violated in one out of every three countries, comprising around two-thirds of the total world population.
More than 646 million Christians, ACN reports, live in countries that do not respect religious freedom.
Recognising others as brothers and sisters
杏MAP导航 Francis emphasizes that 鈥渞eligious freedom is not limited to freedom of worship,鈥� but 鈥渕akes us appreciate others in their differences and recognise them as true brothers and sisters.鈥�
Even substantial differences, such as religious differences, should 鈥渘ot obscure the great unity of being brothers and sisters.鈥�
During this first month of 2022, 杏MAP导航 Francis invites us to pray 鈥渢hat those who suffer discrimination and suffer religious persecution, may find in the societies in which they live the rights and dignity that comes from being brothers and sisters.鈥�
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