Faith
Europe’s Believers Confront Growing Shadows of Persecution – Where Is God’s Light Shinning Brightest?
Faith Facts
- German police searched Cologne Cathedral with sniffer dogs after Islamist attack warnings for New Year’s Eve.
- Europe recorded over 760 anti-Christian hate crimes and 2,211 violent incidents in 2024.
- Nearly 400 million Christians worldwide face persecution, with 5,000 killed for their faith last year.
Experts warned at the United Nations Human Rights Council of rising anti-Christian violence and legal pressures in Europe, urging stronger protections for religious freedom.
This came during a Geneva side event titled “Standing with Persecuted Christians, Defending the Faith and Christian Values.”
Anja Tang of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe noted growing legal actions against believers.
“Several European governments have targeted individuals through criminal procedures for peacefully expressing their religious beliefs,” Tang said.
Incidents include the jihadist killing of Assyrian Christian Aushur Sarnaya in France and proceedings against Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen for citing the Bible.
Speakers highlighted restrictions on prayer, baptisms, school expressions, and church autonomy, tying them to assaults on God-given rights.
Archbishop Ettore Balestrero stressed states’ duty to safeguard public faith practice, condemning impunity as a grave threat.
“Christians do not and should not stand alone,” said UN Special Rapporteur Nazila Ghanea.
Hungary’s Hungary Helps program aids persecuted communities, exemplifying patriotic defense of Christian values.
Believers must pray fervently and advocate boldly, upholding Biblical mandates to protect the flock and cherish freedom as a divine endowment.