The plight of Christians suffering for their faith has been raised at Westminster and in the Seanad Éireann.
Sir Edward Leigh, the longest serving MP in the House of Commons, and Irish Senator Sharon Keogan highlighted the extreme difficulties believers in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) face.
According to Open Doors, one in seven Christians across the world now face “high levels of persecution and discrimination” for their beliefs.
Syria
During a Westminster debate on Syria, Sir Edward called on the UK Government to press the country’s new Sunni Muslim leadership to fulfil their “duty of care to all minorities”, including Christians.
He observed: “The Christian community in Syria is one of the oldest in the world. Up to the civil war, it was about 10% of the population; now, it is down to 2%.”
Christians were reportedly killed in recent fighting in the coastal area of Syria, although the circumstances remain unclear.
DRC
And in the Seanad, reflecting on the significance of Lent, Keogan reminded the Senators that “Christians are still persecuted and discriminated against throughout the world”.
She referred to the murder of seventy Christians in the DRC at the hands of a group linked to so-called Islamic State, and said: “Practising our faith is not something we should take for granted in a fast-changing world.”
The Open Doors annual World Watch List revealed that over 380 million Christians are suffering persecution. DCR rose six places to number 35 on the list in 2024, with 355 believers killed, churches closed, and Christian villages abandoned.
India
Earlier this month, almost 200,000 Christians marched in protest against a proposed anti-conversion law in Arunachal Pradesh State.
Set to be implemented by the end of March, Arunachal Pradesh Christian Forum warned: “Whosoever wants to convert has to obtain permission from the district administration before he or she can convert and take baptism.
“But if it is done without permission, then the priest or pastor conducting the baptism can face arrest and fine.”
Mervyn Thomas, Founder President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said that such laws – already enacted in eleven other Indian states – “undermine the fundamental human right to freedom of religion or belief”.
Christian MP appointed to champion religious liberty worldwide