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World News

200 churches attacked every month worldwide, says European Parliament

by Aaron James

The figures were revealed at a special gathering at European Parliament in Brussels aiming to tackle the persecution of Christians.

Member of European Parliament (MEPs) attending the conference on Tuesday included the President and Vice-President of the European Parliament, as well as Christian leaders and victims of persecution.

"The Persecution of Christians in the World: A call for Action" saw the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, Bishop Angaelos, and the President of the Council of European Churches, Rt Revd Christopher Hill, both make speeches.

The plight of victims was also heard, with Eritrean gospel singer Helen Berhane telling the story of how she was arrested and imprisoned in a lorry shipping container after refusing to renounce her faith in Jesus.

Ms Berhane was rescued with the help of Amnesty International and now lives in Europe.

The European Parliament Vice-President Antonio Tajani, who led the conference, said: "Persecution is happening outside the EU but we can't afford to ignore it.

"All of us, particularly in the EP, are aware that dialogue and mutual respect are needed.

"Fundamental rights are under great threat today and persecution of a religion - it's a breach of fundamental rights.

"Every month at least 200 churches or places of worship are attacked. Every day, in every region of our planet, we register new cases of systematic violence and persecution against Christians.

"No other religious community is faced with such hatred, violence and aggression as is the Christian community."

Bishop Angaelos said: "It was an effective gathering of people who are very active and committed to working for the persecuted and vulnerable around the world.

"What is clear however, is that we need to continue finding ways to collaborate without losing the individuality of organisations, but in such a way as to maximise the impact of our combined efforts.

Rt Revd Christoper Hill told Premier's News Hour: "There will be different levels of attack. There's blowing them up and burning them down and massacring the Christian congregations, but there's also harassment and daubing slogans and things like that.

"I also touched on... Christians in some of the states in Malaysia, where churches are not allowed to advertise or have names up, and they have to have shop churches, not specially built churches.

"And in Maidiguri province [in Nigeria] Christians have either fled or been murdered."

"My prayer following this meeting would be that the nations of Europe... can take more seriously this issue so that international opinion does something about it.

"I pray for those who're victims, my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ all over the world, but I'm also praying for practical action."

Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speaking to Rt Revd Christopher Hill on the News Hour:

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