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TURN THE OTHER CHEEK “They may be chasing us [but] we will not retaliate, ”says Fr. Kali Llamado, vice-rector of the Manila Cathedral, one of the Philippine churches that celebrated“ Red Wednesday, ”an annual Catholic tradition that expresses solidarity with Christians who suffer or lose their lives because of their faith all over the world. —RICHARD A. REYES
Catholic churches across the country lit up red on Wednesday, a practice introduced in 2016 as a sign of solidarity with Christians suffering from modern day persecution around the world.
For this year’s celebration, Filipino worshipers were also urged to offer prayers for the victims of recent typhoons and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as front-line physicians, especially those who have experienced discrimination in their communities.
“Red is the color of suffering … the color of courage, and it is also the color of love,” said Fr. Kali Llamado, vice-rector of the Manila Cathedral, explaining the symbolism behind “Red Wednesday.” “With this, you become aware of the suffering of the people. Red is the color of blood. The front line give their blood, their lives ”.
“We pray for the persecuted [and] that chase them. For the oppressed and their oppressors. Because Jesus said love your enemies, pray also for your persecutors ”, Called said. “That is our expression of love … They may be chasing us [but] We will not retaliate. “
The occasion should also be a time of reflection after the recent calamities, Llamado said, referring to the massive floods in Luzon that have left dozens dead and thousands displaced. “Even the mountains are bleeding from what we have done to them. In a way, this is a wake-up call. “
Marked in the last week of November, Red Wednesday is a global campaign started by the group Aid the Church in Need (ACN). It has been adopted by the Philippine Conference of Catholic Bishops and is now practiced in some 1,600 churches across the country.
ACN Philippines is currently led by the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, Socrates Villegas, as president.
According to ACN in the United States, about 300 million Christians around the world are currently suffering persecution. About 4,000 Christians were killed for their faith in 2018, and at least 11 die every day in the 50 most offending countries, the group added.
The Pew Research Center said there were 143 countries where Christians suffered persecution in 2017. —Jodee A. Agoncillo
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