To support persecuted Christians around the world, Aid to the Church in Need organizes the 15th Night of the Witnesses

On the occasion of #Redweek, during which sanctuaries in France – such as the Cambrai Cathedral, the Lourdes sanctuary or the Sacré-Cœur in Paris – and across the world are draped in red, the Night of the Witnesses hears ” raise public awareness of the persecution of Christians” and their plight in many countries, explains Natalie Chambon, ACN events manager. Initiated in France in 2009, the Night of the Witnesses is held today in several countries, including Spain, Mexico, Croatia, Belgium and the United States. Every year, this event brings together thousands of faithful around the three pillars of ACN: inform, pray, act. For its fifteenth edition, the Night of the Witnesses will pay particular tribute to the ten priests and the seminarian killed in 2024 in the exercise of their mission.

The Night of the Witnesses, a night of hope

Concretely, the evening highlights the testimonies of three foreign guests and provides information on the situation of persecuted Christians around the world. She also invites us to pray for priests, religious and seminarians killed because of their faith during the year, through times of prayer and meditation. “The ACN believes in the communion of saints,” explains Natalie Chambon, and therefore in the possible intercession of these martyrs for believers.

Which allows these vigils to be “a night light“, “a spiritual exchange“of hope so as not to forget the Christians who suffer by giving them hope and also to encourage action through a commitment to the ACN.

In 2024, for its 15th edition, the Night of the Witnesses will organize two prayer vigils in Île-de-France, in Paris and Versailles, as well as three vigils in the region, in Ajaccio, Rennes and Bayonne. “The objective is to meet Christians everywhere in France,” explains Natalie Chambon, AED events manager. Each vigil will be presided over by the local bishop, who will lead a time of prayer and meditation. The portraits of the ten priests and the seminarian murdered during the year will be carried in procession, and the names of the victims listed to honor their memory. The Night of Witnesses will also include a moment of testimony: three guests will share the challenges they face as Christians in their countries.

Witnesses from Armenia (Nagorno-Karabakh), Pakistan and Burkina Faso

This year, three guests from the Night of Witnesses will share their testimonies to raise awareness about the situation of Christians in Armenia (Nagorno-Karabakh), Pakistan and Burkina Faso. The AED chose them because of the “local geopolitical context” and to “preserve their security”, explains Natalie Chambon, events manager at AED France.

Father Laurent Balma, Burkinabé priest ordained in 1993 and now priest Fidei donum in the diocese of Saint-Denis, will speak about the situation in his home diocese of Kaya, in Burkina Faso. This region, affected by jihadist attacks, is facing kidnappings of priests and destruction of churches. It will bear witness to the tenacious faith of local Christians, who persevere despite adversity.

The Armenian priest Hamazasp Kéchichian, from the Mekhitarist congregation, will evoke the suffering of refugees from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), traumatized by the conflicts of 2020 and 2023, when their territory was invaded by Azerbaijan. It will bear witness to the fear and uncertainties that mark their daily lives.

Finally, Mgr Samson Shukardin, bishop of Hyderabad in Pakistan and president of the National Commission for Justice and Peace, will expose the persecution suffered by the Christian minority (2% of the population). It will address professional discrimination, forced conversions and marriages, as well as the general distrust against them. He will explain how the Church concretely supports them in the face of these challenges.