Decades of persecution by the hated communist regimes in Easter Europe did not achieve much in subduing Christianity. These regimes failed dismally in their efforts.

We are now witnessing something different, something much more subtle than the heavy-handed Soviet methods. This danger to Christianity is coming from within - from Western Europe and to some extent from within our shores.

It goes in the guise of "freedom", "rights" and "modern thou-ght". The push here is that we must be so "intellectual" and "freedom loving" as to have no place for Christianity. But, does it not follow that in trying to push aside Christianity, one would be doing away with compassion, love and respect?

I think that one should be wary of this creeping atheistic approach, which is often veiled in bombastic and patronising language. Surely, such an ap-proach would set out to eliminate the humane principles which the Christianity of today stands for.

I feel proud that as a people we have always shown courage and strength of character, whenever it was needed of us. We are now at a stage when such courage and strength are once again needed of us, to withstand the onslaught on what we hold most dear.