In solidarity with those persecuted and suffering unjustly for their peacefully held beliefs, St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney will celebrate a Red Wednesday Mass at 5:30pm, under the sponsorship of Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev Anthony Fisher. The Mass announcement carries the image of a collective funeral service for Egyptians martyred for their faith; the coffins stand side by side in front of the Coptic church sanctuary as a grieving crowd pay their last respects to the victims.
After Mass, as the sun sets, the facade of the Cathedral will be lit up in red to honour and draw attention to all who have been killed or experience oppression or persecution for their faith.
The purpose of Red Wednesday is to join people of all faiths to raise a strong voice in support of the persecuted who cannot profess their religion freely, including Christians in Egypt and Iraq; Catholics in southern Philippines; the Rohingya in Myanmar; and people of all faiths in China.
Another celebration is to be held in Melbourne at the Cathedral of St Patric, which will be lit up in red symbolising the blood of victims martyred as a result of persecution.
Red Wednesday coincides with the release of the 2018 Religious Freedom in the World Report. A document produced every two years by Aid to the Church in Need. the Report assesses issues relating to religious freedom for all faith groups in 196 countries.
Watani International
27 November 2018