Southwark's new Catholic archbishop, John Wilson, has urged Christians to start taking the issue of persecution seriously.

In comments made at an event at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sutton on Tuesday, Archbishop John insisted that the increase in violence against members of the global Church is an issue that cannot be ignored. 

Warning against a sense of complacency among believers, Archbishop John said the persecution of Christians "is so frequent that we are now used to it.

"It has become acceptable for Christians to be persecuted for their faith. It is not acceptable," he said. "It is not acceptable that people should be brought before the court, brought before the militia for what they believe." 

He continued: "Solidarity with persecuted Christians is in our hearts. We should never be complacent about this. It is not somebody else's business: it is our business. It has a claim on our hearts as Catholics, as Christians."

Archbishop John went on to thank the various organisations involved in advocating on behalf of those who suffer for their faith. 

He said: "I want to thank Aid to the Church in Need - and all those who support and work for it - because you put before the world, to our individual churches and governments, the importance of standing up and speaking up for the freedom to believe, to gather for worship, to be able to live and act without suffering persecution."

The archbishop, who previously served as an Auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Westminster, suggested a few simple ways in which Christians can support their fellow believers who are being intimidated, arrested and even killed for their faith. 

He explained: "There is the solidarity of our prayers and there is the solidarity of our words and thirdly there is the solidarity of our financial support.

"We, who have the freedom to practise our faith, must act in support of those who do not have such freedoms. It is not an option, it is a necessity; it is something we must do."