I was back in the Middle East earlier this year and met with Christians who had fled Daesh (Isis). Randa and Sami from Zabadani in Syria told me how they fled when more than 5,000 armed terrorists took over their town in February 2012. Christian houses were marked up. Fighting broke out every night. People were killed in their homes and others kidnapped. 

The extremists went from door to door shouting out: “Where are you Christians?” 

Randa, Sami and family used to have a 10-room house – now five of them are squeezed into a tiny one main room flat, with kitchenette and shower, provided by the Melkite Church in Zahlé, in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon. They would like to return the few miles across the border to Zabadani but everything has been destroyed – their home was razed to the ground. 

Meanwhile they are being helped through Aid to the Church in Need, as are 650 families in Zahlé, Lebanon, with food, basic supplies and accommodation.  

Fadi, now aged 14, told me that he cannot remember what happened, but his father told me that he held his hand as they walked over bodies as they fled from Homs.

Can we begin to imagine the fear and terror? What would I have done… or recently when the bombers came into churches in Sri Lanka, or when heavily armed tribesmen came to my village in Nigeria? That haunting call: “Where are you Christians?” is a cry to each and every one of us.

In Malta, the Christian community have stood up and responded to that question “Where are you Christians?” and replied with love in action saying: “We are here…with you – and ready to help.”

Five years ago, on May 13, 2014, Aid to the Church in Need launched in Malta with a major conference at the Dolmen Hotel entitled ‘Can Christianity survive persecution?’ with a special focus on the Middle East and Africa. Stephen Axisa, national director of ACN Malta, has worked tirelessly with volunteers, family, friends, priests, sisters and co-workers to tell the story of the living, witnessing the bleeding body of Christ today. 

Projects around the world have been supported – with more than €1 million raised.

That haunting call: ‘Where are you Christians?’ is a cry to each and every one of us
 

I remember I quoted the words of Pope John Paul II at that inaugural conference, who spoke of Malta as a hub or a stepping stone – a place of meeting – and as emphasised during his visit ‘in the footsteps of St Paul! In the geography of salvation!’: 

“Malta is the centre of the Mediterranean. You therefore have a unique vocation to be builders of bridges between the peoples of the Mediterranean basin, between Africa and Europe. 

“The future of peace in the world depends on strengthening dialogue and understanding between culture and religions. Continue in your traditions of hospitality, and continue in your national and international commitment on behalf of freedom, justice and peace.” 

On May 29 at 5.30pm at The Victoria Hotel, Sliema, you are invited to join us. I look forward to saying thank-you to so many faithful Maltese who are standing in faith and charity with our suffering brothers and sisters.

 You may reserve a place by calling 2148 7818.  If you would like to come along to this free event, there will be an audio-visual update and a chance to hear more about the realities of living the Christian faith today. 

That same chilling and demanding question I began with is asked of all of us – “Where are you Christians?” when Christ is suffering in His Church today.

Maybe we wish to flee like the disciples when he was arrested or even – like St Peter – deny Him. As St Paul found out when he landed on the shores of Malta – we are called to be grounded in faith, hope and charity. 

Neville Kyrke-Smith is national director of Aid to the Church in Need UK.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece

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