The persecution of Christians: Religious hatred still divides us all

SUNDAY’S attack in Lahore, which left at least 70 people dead, was the latest in a long line of atrocities which has been described as “the greatest story never told of the early 21st century”. 

John L Allen Jr has, in his book Global War on Christians, described how 80% of all today’s acts of religious discrimination are directed at Christians. According to the Pew Forum, between 2006 and 2010, Christians faced discrimination in 139 nations, almost three-quarters of all recognised countries. According to the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, an average of 100,000 Christians have been killed in what the centre calls a “situation of witness” every year for the last ten years.

That’s 11 Christians killed every hour, seven days a week and 365 days a year, because of their faith. Pope Francis recognised this desperate situation in remarks last month.