ACN's Night of Witness in France
Between 22 and 28 January, ACN held a series of events on the theme of persecuted Christians in several French cities. The events included testimonies from Armenia, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.
By ACN Staff
Night of Witness in Paris. (Credit: Laurence Leblanc (Mullenders)/Aid to the Church in Need)
In late January this year, ACN events were held in cathedrals and basilicas in the French cities of Marseille, Albi, Cambrai, Chartres and Paris to commemorate those Christians killed for their faith in 2021. Portraits of 13 martyrs killed during 2021 were carried in processions to the altars in the various cathedrals and basilicas. Nigeria had the largest number of martyrs of all the countries with four being killed for their faith in the West African country.
Testimony during the Night of Witness in Paris. (Credit: François-Régis Salefran/Aid to the Church in Need)
This was the 13th time that ACN held the Night of Witness in France. Testimonies were given by guests from Armenia, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka about the plight of the faithful in their respective countries. Sister Haguinta Marudian, of the Armenian Community of the Immaculate Conception, spoke about the plight of Armenians from the mountainous region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Artsakh is a self-declared republic that is claimed by Azerbaijan. The majority of the population of Artsakh are Armenian Christians. In late 2020, Artsakh and Azerbaijan fought a war in which Azerbaijan gained advantage and territory. Sister Haguinta explained how the war and its aftermath had impacted the local Armenian Christians:
“The war in Artsakh was a source of great suffering. In our chapel the only thing you could hear was the murmuring sound of the Rosary as the beads slipped through the innocent fingers of the silently weeping children … After the ceasefire, many families returned to Artsakh, but many of them found their homes in ruins.”
Bishop Doeme of Maiduguri in the northeast of Nigeria also gave a testimony. Nigeria has seen a large number of Christians killed in Islamist terrorist attacks in recent years. The northeast of Nigeria is the heartland of the most infamous Islamist group in Nigeria, Boko Haram. Bishop Doeme gave a moving account of the faith of the Catholics in his diocese:
“The shootings and bombings are not stopping people from going to Mass with the same fervour as before. The terrorists can destroy everything in our country, but there is one thing they cannot destroy – our faith. For in truth, our people are brave, courageous and constant in their powerful determination to serve God despite all the obstacles.”
Night of Witness in Paris. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo in Sri Lanka could not attend the event personally but gave a testimony via video. Sri Lanka’s small Christian minority was rocked by suicide bomb attacks during Holy Week 2019, which left 258 people dead.
The Church in Sri Lanka continuous to demand to know the truth of what happened. The archbishop explained:
“It is clear now that the former leaders, especially the former president, despite knowing about the imminent attack, did nothing to prevent it and simply allowed it to happen.”
The national director of ACN France, Benoit de Blanpré, explained the importance of the Night of Witness:
“Every one of these Witness Nights is an opportunity to draw closer to our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters. Through our prayers and our closeness, we hope to be able to comfort them in the midst of their suffering, while they can revive our own faith, thanks to their indomitable hope.”
Please join us in prayer for persecuted Christians throughout the world.