Red Wednesday was on November 22nd. It’s time to see red about the world’s indifference to genocide, crimes against humanity and persecution.
Red Wednesday 2017 at Walsingham, Norfolk.
22nd November 2017 #RedWednesday Event London
Standing in solidarity with those suffering for their faith
By John Newton
#REDWEDNESDAY is a sign to those who suffer for their faith around the world that they are not forgotten – according to the newly appointed Coptic Orthodox Bishop of London.
Coptic Orthodox Bishop Angaelos’ remarks came during an address he gave at a service outside Westminster Cathedral to mark #RedWednesday (22nd November) which drew attention to the persecution of Christians and members of other faiths.
Pointing to the busy streets of London, Bishop Angaelos said: “In the midst of all of this, it is unfathomable to think that there are still hundreds of millions potentially who suffer for their faith today.
“As Christians, of course, we focus on the plight of our brothers and sisters. But as Christians we also recognise the absolute right… to us all made in [God’s] image and likeness – whether Christian or another faith or of no faith at all – to have that freedom to choose. And today we stand together for that.”
Bishop Angaelos drew attention to the #RedWednesday campaign which saw dozens of churches floodlit red across the UK – including Westminster Cathedral behind him.
The Coptic Orthodox Bishop of London said: “It is essential that we stand together, not only tonight, not only when our buildings are lit red – as is our cathedral – to signify not only the blood of the martyrs but the continued struggle of those who have faith during these days.”
He added: We come here and we think that this is just us standing here in the midst of London, but I assure you that your sisters and brothers around the world – Christians and otherwise – are moved by your witness. It strengthens them, it inspires them, it assures them that they are not forgotten.”
He reported that there were now 13 million Christians in Egypt – where the Coptic Orthodox Church began – and that today they represent around 80 percent of all Christians in the Middle East.
Bishop Angaelos said: “In neighbouring countries our brothers and sisters have either left or more tragically lost their lives.”
The service on Westminster Cathedral Piazza, which started at 6pm, also included music by Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir, video presentations as well as speeches.
Among the speakers were Jim Shannon MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Athanasius Toma, Westminster’s Auxiliary Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Ahsan Ahmedi, Regional President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK.
The event was preceded by a procession to the cathedral piazza with a life-size cross from London’s Houses of Parliament – which were lit up red in solidarity.
Teenager Hannah Chowdhry, a volunteer with the British Pakistani Christian Association, described the situation of Christians in Pakistan, adding: “700 Christian Girls are kidnapped, raped and forced into Islamic marriage every year – yet the world stays silent.
“The average age of those abducted is 13. To help you gain some perspective I am also 13.”
Speaking during the service, Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director, Aid to the Church in Need (UK), said: “Surely in this day and age, it is unacceptable that someone should be denied work, housing, liberty – or even lose their life – because of their religious belief? Yet this is what is happening in so many parts of the world.
“So I am delighted that so many are supporting our campaign – at Aid to the Church in Need with Christian Solidarity Worldwide and others – to stand up for the rights of everyone to follow their Faith without coercion, reprisals or persecution.”
Mr Kyrke-Smith noted that numerous churches were going red not only across the UK but also in Ireland, Malta, Gibraltar, the Philippines, and parts of the USA.
More than 200 people had attended a vigil ceremony for #RedWednesday at Armagh Cathedral. Waterford, Sligo, Galway and Thurles Cathedrals also lit up red.
In the Philippines 47 cathedrals, 29 basilicas and shrines took part in the red floodlighting campaign.
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Venue: Westminster Cathedral Piazza
Event: Join us for a evening of solidarity and witness for our persecuted brothers and sisters. This is an important opportunity to come together in solidarity and to stand up for faith and freedom. Time: 6:00pm Gather for music and film | 6:30pm Illumination of Westminster Cathedral, speakers, film and prayer.
UK Parliament to go red for #RedWednesday
- 10 UK cathedrals expected to be floodlit red on 22nd November
By John Pontifex
THE Houses of Parliament in Westminster are to be floodlit red for #RedWednesday, the initiative which calls on people to shine a light on persecution and stand up for faith and freedom.
The decision for the iconic building in central London to go red on the evening of Wednesday, 22nd November was made jointly by John Bercow MP, the Speaker of the House of Commons and Lord Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords.
Both Speakers were lobbied by parliamentarians, many of whom had been contacted by constituents inspired by #RedWednesday’s message of religious tolerance.
Among those calling for Parliament to turn red was Trevor Harrison, from Sevenoaks, who wrote to his MP, Sir Michael Fallon.
Responding to news that his request had been granted, he said he contacted his MP after attending an event in Parliament organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief – itself a supporter of #RedWednesday.
Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, which is organising #Red Wednesday in partnership with Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Mr Harrison said: “Turning Parliament red is a wonderful way to get the message about religious freedom to as wide an audience as possible.”
“We all need to get behind #RedWednesday – we need to stand together against violence carried out in the name of religion – we need to speak up about regimes which persecute people of faith.”
This will be the second year running that Parliament will turn red for #RedWednesday.
So far this year, at least 10 cathedrals across the UK have pledged to floodlight red including London’s Westminster Cathedral and others in Ayr, Edinburgh, Paisley, Birmingham, Norwich, Wrexham, Derry and Armagh.
In total, nearly 50 public buildings are expected to get behind #RedWednesday – schools, colleges and churches including London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields and All Souls, Langham Place.
There will be a week of events from 19-26 November with #RedWednesday as the highlight and parishes will be holding vigils.
At 6pm on 22nd November a solidarity service will take place outside Westminster Cathedral, with talks, witness testimonies, a video message by MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, music and speeches by Coptic Orthodox Bishop Angaelos, Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director, Aid to the Church in Need (UK) and Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Throughout the day, a traditional London red bus emblazoned with #RedWednesday slogans will be criss-crossing the capital, stopping at London landmarks.
For information about #RedWednesday on 22nd November and attend #RedWednesday events including joining the London bus and attending the 6pm event outside Westminster Cathedral, use the contact information below.
Contact information: www.acnuk.org/redwednesday.
ACN UK Press team [email protected]
ACN Head of Press & Information John Pontifex – 0781 559 1427
ACN Senior Press Officer Dr John Newton – 020 8661 5167
ACN Digital Media Officer Murcadha O Flaherty – 020 8661 5175
ACN UK News: Monday, 6th November 2017 – UK
With #RedWednesday motif
Get ready to light up red
- #RedWednesday – 22nd November – promoting faith and tolerance
- At least 10 cathedrals across the UK pledge to light up red
By John Pontifex
MORE than 30 cathedrals, churches and schools from the west coast of Scotland to the south coast of England have so far pledged to take part in #RedWednesday as the UK prepares to stand up for faith and freedom.
With less than three weeks to go until #RedWednesday – 22nd November – Christian groups from across the UK have said they will take part in the initiative which aims to promote faith and tolerance in society, stand in solidarity with victims of persecution, and oppose violence and oppression carried out in the name of religion.
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which is organising #RedWednesday with support from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), is inviting people to wear an item of red clothing on the day.
#RedWednesday organisers – who chose red to symbolise martyrdom and suffering – are appealing for public buildings to be floodlit red on the day.
They are also asking people to share images of their activities on social media using the hashtag.
According to latest ACN reports, cathedrals will be going red across the UK – in Wales and Northern Ireland as well as England and Scotland.
Among those pledging to light up red on the 22nd November are St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh; St Margaret’s Cathedral, Ayr; St Mary’s Cathedral, Wrexham; St Mirin Cathedral, Paisley; St John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich – and in Birmingham both St Chad’s Catholic Cathedral and St Philip’s Church of England Cathedral will be taking part.
Getting involved in #RedWednesday will be students from throughout the UK including Cumbria, North Ayrshire, Glasgow, Surrey and Cambridge, as well those from various institutes in London.
Meanwhile, a red bus emblazoned with the #RedWednesday slogan – “Stand Up for Faith and Freedom” – will tour central London.
It is scheduled to stop at iconic venues, including St Paul’s Cathedral, St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square and Lambeth Palace.
The bus’s final destination will be a floodlit Westminster Cathedral.
There on the steps outside will be a service with Gospel music, persecution witness testimonies and speeches by Church leaders and politicians – as well as ACN (UK) National Director Neville Kyrke-Smith and CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas.
Inviting people to get involved in #RedWednesday, the initiative’s coordinator Patricia Hatton from ACN said: “#RedWednesday is a unique opportunity to stand up for faith and freedom in this country and around the world and to shine a light on the persecution of Christians and other faith groups today.
“We need people to take the issue of religious freedom seriously so we are inviting parish and prayer groups, families and students to Westminster Cathedral Piazza on #RedWednesday, gathering at 6pm with music and film ahead of the prayer service.
“Please wear something red. Together let’s make a stand for faith and freedom and help Christians and others – especially in the Middle East – who urgently need our support this Christmas.”
Also floodlit in red will be England’s National Shrine of Our Lady, Walsingham, Norfolk; Our Lady Immaculate Parish, Bournemouth; Cardinal Newman High School, Bellshill; St Columba’s Church, Inverness; Farm Street Church, London; St Mary’s University, Twickenham; Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe; Lancaster University Catholic Chaplaincy; Holy Name Church, Manchester; St Joseph’s, Bromyard and St Joseph’s, Pontefract.
- For information about #RedWednesday and to get involved, visit acnuk.org/campaign/redwednesday , email: [email protected]
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#RedWednesday
Start: 18 Nov 2017 13:00 End: 27 Nov 2017 22:00 United Kingdom
Red is the Christian colour of martyrdom.
Christians are the most persecuted faith group in today’s world and #RedWednesday will honour all those who suffer and die for their faithfulness to Christ’s message of peace and love. #RedWednesday will shine a light on Christian persecution but also highlight the injustices perpetrated against other faith groups. The Aid to the Church in Need campaign calls for respect and tolerance for people of faith and between different faith traditions.
#RedWednesday 2017 will bring together Christians and other faith communities across the UK in a positive and untied vision of freedom of religious belief.
Stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and all who suffer for their peacefully-held beliefs.
Aid to the Church in Need are holding a week of events from the 18th – 26th November with #RedWednesday as the highlight on Wednesday 22nd November
18th November 2017
Walk of Witness – the Deanery of Marylebone has organised a Procession of Witness for the persecuted Christians in the Middle East on 18 November – from All Saints Margaret Street, near Oxford Circus, to the Church of the Annunciation, Marble Arch, along Oxford Street. It starts at 12.45, preceded by a short communion service at 12 noon for those who want.
Churches throughout Westminster as part of the Churches together network are taking part. The larger the numbers the more impact it will have.
This may also be something other Churches Together networks in other towns and cities might like to do, especially around Advent / Christmas time in shopping areas.
22nd November 2017 #RedWednesday Event London
Venue: Westminster Cathedral Piazza
Event: Join us for a evening of solidarity and witness for our persecuted brothers and sisters. This is an important opportunity to come together in solidarity and to stand up for faith and freedom. Time: 6:00pm Gather for music and film | 6:30pm Illumination of Westminster Cathedral, speakers, film and prayer.
22nd November 2017 #RedWednesday Event Norwich
Venue: The Roman Catholic Cathedral of John the Baptist, Unthank Road, Norwich NR2 2PA
Event: #RedWednesday Mass
Time: 7:00pm
Celebrant: Bishop Alan Hopes
ALL are welcome, the Cathedral will be lit red on the evening for #RedWednesday and in solidarity with persecuted Christians and other persecuted minorities
26th November 2017
Go to Mass for Someone Who Cannot
Aid to the Church in Need is asking every Catholic to make the small sacrifice of going to one extra Mass to pray for one of the 200 million Christians who are facing the threat of persecution for their faith and even risking death to receive Jesus in The Eucharist.
Will you go to one extra Mass and offer it for a persecuted Christian? Bring hope to the persecuted Church.
27th November 2017
Going, Going, Gone? The Last Chance to Save and Return the Christian Middle East. Persecuted but Not Forgotten – A lecture by John Pontifex, Aid to the Church in Need UK’s Head of Press and Information. By kind invitation of Bishop Hlib Lonchyna
Followed by a Reception: £10 Donation, proceeds to ACN UK. All welcome. RSVP [email protected]
Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family
Duke Street
London
W1K 5BQ
Find your local #RedWednesday Event = https://acnuk.org/campaign/redwednesday/
Get involved this #REDWEDNESDAY by wearing red, by lighting buildings or landmarks red (with permission and if already floodlit) and by holding peaceful prayer events
How to Light your Church Red: Patricia Hatton, ACN UK’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing speaks about the importance of #RedWednesday and how everyone can get involved and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters. https://acnuk.org/campaign/redwednesday/
See also Christian Solidarity Worldwide = http://www.csw.org.uk/redwednesday17
