Religious persecution continues across the globe

BY ARCHBISHOP CHARLES CHAPUT

For most of us in the United States, it's difficult to truly grasp the notion of "religious persecution."

When asked about our faith, we can answer directly and without hesitation. We can celebrate Mass every Sunday and openly participate in the Church's life. We can even speak out on difficult issues like capital punishment and immigration from a faith perspective, urging our lawmakers to defend the dignity of every human being.

As Catholics, expressing our faith by sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ defines who we are in our most basic sense.

But not everyone shares this freedom. Last year, at least 46 Catholic missionaries were killed outside our country's borders, in places like Algeria, Zaire and Burundi. Others are missing and feared dead. Still others cling to God faithfully, living their days in solitude behind bars.

Beginning on Sept. 28, U.S. Catholics joined our Christian brothers and sisters in a "season of prayer" for those persecuted for their religious beliefs. This season, which officially ends Sunday, Nov. 16, is a time to pray for those who love Jesus in an heroic way.

Most Americans would be surprised at how widespread religious persecution is in our "civilized" world. In Central America, priests and nuns were murdered often in the 1980s. In this decade, anti-Christian violence in Indonesia has included church burnings. In Burma, Christian populations have reportedly been forced into "relocation camps." In February of this year, Philippine Bishop Benjamin de Jesus was shot and killed, apparently by Islamic extremists.

In China, priests are imprisoned and Tibetan Buddhists have been driven from their peaceful monasteries. And only a month ago, Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed into law a measure that curbs the practice of every religious group in the country, with the exception of Russian Orthodox.

During a recent conference on Catholicism in the former Soviet Union, which was held at St. Thomas More parish, Ukrainian Auxiliary Bishop Irenius Bilyk observed that, "Without suffering and crucifixion, there is no resurrection. It is the same for the Church. Without suffering and crucifixion, the Church cannot rise to new life."

It's understandable that people often are most devoted to their beliefs when their religious liberties are somehow stifled. But what about us who are seldom challenged in our faith lives? Do we take advantage of the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel? Do we recognize the freedom to serve God and His Church as a divine gift?

In many cases, we do not. We try to separate our "religious beliefs" from our daily lives. We hesitate to mention Jesus' name in our everyday conversations. In our own, quiet ways, we suppress that which we should proclaim. We participate in a passive persecution of our Church and Savior.

So this season of prayer should also remind us to constantly ask ourselves: "Am I a steward of the gifts of freedom God has granted me?"

I ask you to pray especially in the upcoming days for those who suffer from religious persecution worldwide. Please also pray for those who oppress them -- those who, in the words of the suffering Jesus, "know not what they do."

And finally, pray for all of our Christian sisters and brothers here in the United States. Pray that we will fulfill our opportunity -- our obligation -- to be daily witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ.