Because of the virus and the lockdown, it’s been webinars and zoom meetings! I haven’t been to a live, in person event since attending the National Prayer Breakfast. That was the beginning of February! So I am very much looking forward to the live conference, Christian Persecution in Real. This conference is sponsored by the Basilica of St. Mary in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, September 11 and 12.
Compounded Suffering
At the Prayer Breakfast, I participated as a speaker in a breakout session about Christian persecution sponsored by Save The Persecuted Christians. Little did we know that the misery and suffering of our global brothers and sisters would soon be exacerbated by a global pandemic! In countries where Christians are a minority religion, they are the last to receive the resources they need to survive — if they receive them at all.
As a result of compounded hardships, this is even more of a critical time than ever for suffering Christians around the world.
A Church That Values Religious Freedom
We are most grateful to the Basilica of St. Mary and Father David Dufrense who is welcoming us to this beautiful, historic church. The Basilica, founded in 1795, is the first Catholic parish of the Commonwealth of Virginia and West Virginia. As a church that has benefited from the America’s great tradition of religious freedom, it is the perfect place for those who desire to learn more about — and pray more for — the Persecuted Church. They will hear about the situation of Christians in numerous countries where persecution is taking place.
Friday: Christians We See in the Mirror
On Friday evening, September 11, the program will begin at 6PM with two good friends of IRD. Father Kurt Klismet, the national provincial for Trinitarian International Solidarity (S.I.T.), and Matthew Behum, the director of the St. Lawrence Martyr chapter of S.I.T. will discuss why Catholics should care about Christian persecution. The Trinitarians have a long history of advocacy for persecuted Christians. Founded by St. John of Matha in the 12th century, the Trinitarian Order was dedicated to ransoming Christians in captivity.
Friday will also demonstrate how the arts raise the profile of the Persecuted Church. It will include a screening of the powerful documentary film Christians in the Mirror with comments by filmmaker Jordan Allot. The film highlights Christians in Egypt, India, Iraq, Syria, and Sudan. And a gripping photo exhibit that emphasizes the toll that is taken on Christian women and girls, “Warfare on Women,” will be displayed by Save The Persecuted Christians.
Saturday: Global Christian Persecution
On Saturday, September 12, the conference will begin with Mass at 8:30 AM and conclude at 6PM. During the day speakers include:
- Archbishop Bashar M. Warda, the Chaldean Catholic Bishop of Erbil
- The Honorable Frank R. Wolf, U.S. Representative (R-VA), retired
- Dr. Oluwasayo Ajiboye, President of Mission Africa International
- Dr. Bob Fu, President of ChinaAid
- John Prabhudos, Executive Director, Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America
- Stephen Rasche, counsel to Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, Director, Institute for Ancient and Threatened Christianity (IATC)
- Dede Laugesen, Executive Director and Founding Member, Save the Persecuted Christians
- Faith McDonnell, Director, International Religious Liberty Program, Institute on Religion and Democracy
Live, In Living Color, With Social Distancing
The conference will, of course, observe all of the safety precautions under which we are all existing at present. And as a result, the $10 registration for Friday evening is limited to 40 people. The $35 registration for Saturday is limited to 200 people. If you are interested in attending, the time to register is NOW!
Fighting the Good Fight, Like Saints Peter & Paul
The Basilica notes that the Christian Persecution is Real, is the third annual Saints Peter and Paul conference. Both of those first century Church leaders suffered persecution and martyrdom for their faith. In the valiant witness of today’s suffering Christians we hear echoes of the confident declaration of St. Paul:
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8
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