News Item: : Aug 1st: Day of Prayer, Adoration and Solidarity for Persecuted Christians in Iraq, Syria and Middle East
(Category: Torch of The Faith News)
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Friday 01 August 2014 - 13:04:47

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Today is the day chosen by the FSSP (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter) for a worldwide day of Public Adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in supplication for our persecuted brethren in Iraq, Syria and the Middle East. This initiative has been embraced by Catholics all around the globe.

If you cannot make it to Eucharistic Adoration, please join in prayer in some other way. The Rosary and Angelus would be powerful ways to join with this hugely important initiative.

Last Saturday, Neville Kyrke-Smith, UK Director of Aid to the Church in Need, addressed the large crowd near Parliament, who were praying and demonstrating in solidarity with Iraqi Christians suffering from persecution by ISIS. Here he is with a couple of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and some lay supporters.
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Mr. Kyrke-Smith asked: 'What is our government doing about this and how are they responding? Whether we like to admit it or not - this country's government has over the years laid the foundations for such a situation to arise. Now the government seems incapable or unwilling to help Christians and others suffering and dying at the hands of ISIS.'

On the Aid to the Church in Need website, Mr. Kyrke-Smith notes: 'Perhaps, for a start, we could make sure that every parish here has a prayer at Mass this Sunday for all those expelled from their ancient homeland for their faith, and for peace in the Middle East. If we do not stand up for Christians in a city where they have followed Christ for 1,600 years, how will anyone help us when the attacks on us become more physical? Addressing nearly 1,000 Iraqis and ACN supporters opposite the Houses of Parliament on Saturday was a haunting experience - I had the feeling that what is happening in our biblical, historical homeland could easily happen here before long. Now is the time to stand up for our faith and the right to believe.'

We met Neville a few years ago in Liverpool. He is a very balanced, calm and widely travelled gentleman. His years with ACN have taken him to many places, where the Church both suffers and prospers, around the world. When a man of his calibre and experience starts talking like this, you need to sit up, pay attention and act.

Please do pray today for the suffering Christians of Iraq, Syria and the Middle East; and remember to say a prayer for the protection of the rights of the Church, here in the West.

'Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me' (Matthew 25:40).  

Keep the Faith!    



This news item is from Torch of The Faith
( http://www.torchofthefaith.com/news.php?extend.739 )