Christian Solidarity Worldwide
As citizens and Christians, we have been almost totally absorbed in the COVID-19 pandemic threats and consequences for ourselves, loved ones and friends. But, around the world, Christians and other minority groups continue to suffer harassment, deprivation of civil rights, persecution, imprisonment and even death at the hands of authoritarian regimes that are hostile to Christian minorities.
The current COVID-19 pandemic makes this situation worse. CSW’s mission is to speak and campaign for such minorities and to bring their suffering before governments, international institutions and ourselves for prayer. Two cases are outlined below.
While many people are relying on soap, water and antibacterial hand gel to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, Angelina does not have that luxury. Recently, her family and others had their access to water and sewerage services cut off by Mexican authorities in an attempt to force them to renounce their Protestant Christian beliefs. Cutting basic services, including water and electricity, is a common way in which individuals or communities in Mexico are harassed because of their religious beliefs.
Sadly, even in India the world’s ‘largest democracy’, powers are being abused and minorities harassed and persecuted. Hate speech by Hindu nationalist groups fuels hostility towards religious minorities. This is abetted by officials in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who fail to prevent and investigate attacks. For instance, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has made public statements calling for forced sterilisation of Muslims and Christians, for Hindus to fight back against the perceived attack from Muslims and Christians and asserting that India is facing a battle between demons and gods. Some take this as moral legitimacy for communal violence. Also, anti-conversion laws are used routinely to justify violence against Christian targets.
Finally, some good news! Many of you wrote Christmas cards to Ruth and Joel, two teenage children in Cuba, both of whose parents were in detention because of their work as pastors and their refusal to send their children to state schools, where they would be bullied because of their beliefs. But in March their mother, Adya, was released. Their father, Ramon, remains in detention and needs our continued prayers. Ruth and Joel are now with their mother and attend school online at home. Organisations like CSW need the financial support of donors so please donate if you can on the CSW website.
Please pray for:
all minorities suffering for their beliefs, especially those impacted by COVID-19
Angelina and others like her who are being denied essential services because of their beliefs
government authorities at all levels in India to reject Hindu nationalism and the temptation to incite religious and ethnic violence Thank God for the release of Ruth and Joel’s mother in Cuba.
Nick Holloway