Displaying items by tag: global church

In her Easter message to church leaders in the UK and worldwide, Archbishop Sarah Mullally reflects on how the story of Christ’s death and resurrection speaks powerfully into today’s troubled world. Referencing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, she highlights the suffering of many, especially those displaced, oppressed or forgotten. She commends the churches in the Holy Land for their faithful witness under immense pressure, urging believers to stand with the marginalised and serve those in need. Drawing on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s insight that 'only a suffering God can help’, she points to Jesus’ words in John 12:24 which show that through death comes life and fruitfulness. Christ’s resurrection is not merely a past event but a present, living reality that shapes Christian hope and mission. Like the signs of spring emerging at Lambeth Palace, Easter reminds us that new life follows suffering. Christians are therefore called to live as people of resurrection - marked by hope, courage, and confidence in the victory of Christ.

A Vatican-led commission has confirmed that more than 1,600 Christians have been killed for their faith since the year 2000. The project, initiated by Pope Francis and supported by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), draws on verified testimonies to highlight persecution across denominations. ACN’s John Newton described how believers worldwide face discrimination, harassment, abductions, and killings. He cited the 2015 martyrdom of 21 Egyptian construction workers, as well as this year’s massacre of 200 Christians in Nigeria where families were displaced, homes burnt, and victims slaughtered. 'These tragedies are underreported,' Newton said, stressing that such violence rarely makes global headlines. The commission acknowledges the true death toll may be even higher. Yet Pope Leo XIV urges Christians to find hope in the faithfulness of martyrs, whose witness testifies to the gospel’s unstoppable power and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Their sacrifice continues to inspire courage and strengthen the global Church.