At one stage during the Sunday Angelus two weeks ago, Pope Francis put aside his text and with commotion said: “With sad news, with much sadness, I learned of the terrorist attacks today against two churches in Lahore, provoking numerous deaths and injuries.” The news shocked the thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square.

With more emphasis the Pope denounced the fact that “the world is trying to hide the wave of anti-Christian persecutions in various parts of the globe”.

Suicide bombers in Pakistan that same morning detonated themselves at the entrance of a Catholic church and, 500 metres away, an Anglican church. Both were filled to capacity with Christians. According to the official figures, 17 people were killed and about 80 injured. It would have been a greater massacre if the suicide bombers burst into the churches. The ushers were quick to suspect and stop the suicide bombers. The two policemen on guard were watching a game of cricket.

The Pope is right in denouncing the silence of the world about the persecution of Christians in many countries. However, it seems that his is a voice crying in the desert – even the media is not campaigning against the persecution of Christians.

Where is the United Nations? It has denounced terrorism and violence but it never mentioned Christians. Other governments have always avoided the mention of Christians or much more so of Catholics. The President of France condemned the Lahore massacre, but for the sake of diplomacy he did not utter the world ‘Christians’.

The voice of Pope Francis should penetrate the social conscience of the world. Quite rightly the Pope denounced “the plot of silence”. He said: “I beg the Lord that this persecution against Christians, which the world seeks to hide, will end and we will have peace.”

However, peace seems to be far away. Islamic State has also joined the forces of terror. We have seen the Cross on the church of Mosul broken into pieces and the black flag of IS now flies from the churches, which have been converted into mosques.

All this shows that there is an escalation of persecution against Christians and the Church itself. The Pope has often denounced and prayed for the Christians persecuted in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and even Egypt where 12 Christians of the Coptic Church were assassinated.

The reason is not simply the question of religious tolerance, but there is a ‘hatred of the faith’ and of Christians who are called ‘Crusaders’ by the persecutors. One of the reasons why the Pope is working for unity among faiths, namely Catholics, Christians, Jews and Orthodox, is to form a united front against future persecutions. Unity may halt what the Pope calls “ecumenical martyrdom”, which embraces into one fold all believers.

Where is the United Nations? It has denounced terrorism and violence but it never mentioned Christians

A month ago during the commemoration of the martyrdom of St John the Baptist, the Pope said: “Think of our martyrs of today, those men, women and children who are persecuted, hated, chased from their homes, tortured and massacred. This is not something of the past, it is happening today from the corrupt authority of people who hate Jesus Christ.” This is the stark truth, but people are afraid to admit it.

Figures indicate how widespread this hatred is. In 2012, 1,201 Christians were killed in Nigeria, Sudan, Iraq, Iran and North Korea. The following year in the above countries, the figure rose to 2,133 and there was a sharp increase last year to 4,344.

The number of churches attacked, burned or destroyed last year was 1,602. To these we add the thousands of Christians forced to leave their homes and now live in refugee camps. Christians have even fled from the Holy Land.

The Christians in Pakistan are rising up in arms, even though they are a tiny minority of 2.5 million. Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi and president of the Bishops Conference urged the government to take strong measures for the protection of churches and Christians. He urged “the whole nation to join hands and stand against terrorism”.

The wave of terrorism is increasing and the Pakistani Taliban, now supported by IS, have claimed responsibility for the attacks against the two churches. Our solidarity should go to all fellow Christians in Pakistan who include the Maltese priests of the Missionary Society of St Paul, who I am sure will never abandon their flock.

One of the suffering Catholics in prison for the last five years in Pakistan is Asia Bibi, a mother of five children. Unjustly she has been accused by some women fellow workers and some members of the family of having blasphemed against the Prophet. She was urged by a minister to become a Muslim and thus be free. She is firm in her belief in Jesus and her husband has told the BBC that he and the children are living in terror and in hiding. The Pope, the UN, Amnesty International and Church in Aid have all pleaded for the release of Asia Bibi. Thousands of letters, including a handful from Malta, have been sent to the President to pardon the death sentence inflicted upon this innocent women.

Pope Francis in the coming Holy Year of Mercy will surely show world leaders his fight for justice on behalf of all Christians and minorities. Neither is he content with just condemnations. Through Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, every diplomatic effort is being made to exert pressure on the Human Rights Council to defend Christians.

The Holy See has just signed with the Russian Federation and Lebanon a joint declaration, seconded by 63 countries “to defend the human rights of Christians and other communities”. Archbishop Tomasi pointed out: “This is the first time that Christians are explicitly mentioned. In the past only minorities were mentioned.” It’s encouraging to see that the Pope has made a breakthrough.

I appeal to all people of goodwill to support Christians through the splendid work of the Aid to Church in Need and the Maltese missionaries of the Society of St Paul working in Pakistan.

Lastly I ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who I know has the cause of Christians at heart, if Malta signed the joint declaration of the Holy See.

Mgr Charles Vella is the founder of the Cana Movement.

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