Anti-Christian Violence in India

There is a another reason for Hindu hostility to Christian missions. The social work of missionaries has always sought to help the poorest and most marginal classes. Among the “casteless” (Dalits or Pariahs, today numbering some 150 million) and the tribals (another 80 million), the missions have played an important role, which is acknowledged by Indian governments. They have given the poor awareness of their dignity and rights. Whoever visits regions inhabited by Pariahs or tribals, over a period of 20–30 years or more, can testify to the profound social revolution achieved without violence, simply through education.

Hindu Extremism and the Fear of Christ, Piero Ghedo (missionary)

Persecuted Christians in North Korea

Some astonishing facts about these "living saints":

The most severely persecuted Christians in the world live in North Korea and the little news we have from that country is amazing. Despite terrible oppression, Christianity is growing with great speed. No one knows exactly how many Christians survive in North Korea but it is estimated that one in five are in prison for their faith.

Powered by ScribeFire.

"Let Us Test What Will Happen at the End of His Life"

Speaking of martyrs, the Office of Readings offered a timely reading from Wisdom today. This is the selection in the RSV:

[1:16] But ungodly men by their words and deeds summoned death;
considering him a friend, they pined away,
and they made a covenant with him,
because they are fit to belong to his party. (Wis 1:16)

[2:12]"Let us lie in wait for the righteous man,
because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions;
he reproaches us for sins against the law,
and accuses us of sins against our training.
[13] He professes to have knowledge of God,
and calls himself a child of the Lord.
[14] He became to us a reproof of our thoughts;
[15] the very sight of him is a burden to us,
because his manner of life is unlike that of others,
and his ways are strange.
[16] We are considered by him as something base,
and he avoids our ways as unclean;
he calls the last end of the righteous happy,
and boasts that God is his father.
[17] Let us see if his words are true,
and let us test what will happen at the end of his life;
[18] for if the righteous man is God's son, he will help him,
and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries.
[19] Let us test him with insult and torture,
that we may find out how gentle he is,
and make trial of his forbearance.
[20] Let us condemn him to a shameful death,
for, according to what he says, he will be protected."

[21] Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray,
for their wickedness blinded them,
[22] and they did not know the secret purposes of God,
nor hope for the wages of holiness,
nor discern the prize for blameless souls;
[23] for God created man for incorruption,
and made him in the image of his own eternity,
[24] but through the devil's envy death entered the world,
and those who belong to his party experience it.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Catholic Sites Reach Persecuted Christians

From Catholic Radio Indy 89.1:

I’m [name removed], from MALAYSIA - a Muslim nation which prohibited the use of radio and Internet for Christian missions.

I used to go for daily Mass, and now when I came back to my hometown in Sabah, I do not have the opportunity to go for daily Mass.

I’ve been searching for an online radio where Catholics can listen to the Catholic stuff, and thank God that through the Universalis.com, I found your station which made me really happy to be able to join the daily Mass in spirit and prayers and faith of Catholicity, though I can’t go for the daily communion. I’m just able to do it spiritually.

I thank God for this station. It reached me in Malaysia.

God bless!

Regards,

Mr. [name removed],
Tamparuli Sabah, MALAYSIA

Powered by ScribeFire.