Lay Christians launch prayer campaign for China

20 May 2021

By Contributor

A woman is pictured in a file photo praying during Mass at a Church in Beijing. A new campaign to support a global prayer effort focusing on the persecuted and repressed in China from 23 to 30 May, is being launched by an informal coalition of lay Christians from six continents. Photo: CNS/Jason Lee, Reuters.

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This campaign formed in response to a “Call for Prayer for the Church and Peoples of China,” in March, by Cardinal Charles Bo, the President of the Federation of Catholic Asian Bishops Conferences.

Coalition members include Australian Parliamentarian Kevin Andrews, United States Congressman Chris Smith, the United Kingdom’s Lord David Alton, Canadian Parliamentarian Garnett Genuis, Irish entrepreneur Declan Ganley, Canada’s former religious freedom envoy Andrew Bennett, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Nina Shea, CSW’s expert Benedict Rogers, Ave Maria Law Professor Jane Adolphe, and numerous others.

The campaign’s website, www.GlobalPrayerforChina.org features resources for clergy, parishes and individuals, including up-to-date information on the repression and persecution of Christians in China, as well as the genocide of the Uyghurs and others suffering atrocities and injustices throughout China.

It includes profiles of individual prisoners of conscience and pastoral resources for prayers and homilies, as well as the text of Cardinal Bo’s call for prayer.

A new three-minute video on the Cardinal’s call for prayer, created for the campaign, is available at www.GlobalPrayerforChina.org and here: http://icjurist.org/media/

A priest hears confession at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing March 29, 2018. A new campaign to support a global prayer effort focusing on the persecuted and repressed in China from 23 to 30 May, is being launched by an informal coalition of lay Christians from six continents. Photo: CNS/Damir Sagolj, Reuters.

Campaign spokesperson, Andrew Bennett, said that Cardinal Bo has taken a very courageous and welcome step.

“In calling on the Church around the world to pray for the Church and the peoples of China, and it is incumbent on us to respond to his call,” Mr Bennett said.

“That is why a group of Christians has come together to help facilitate this week of prayer.”

Mr Bennett went on to emphasise the importance of having others join in the prayer initiative.

“We hope many individuals and parishes will take part in some way, through the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass and in personal, private prayer.

“Our new website is designed to assist and facilitate this, and we hope that individuals and parishes will use the resources available through the website, spread the word to others, and mobilise the Church worldwide to pray for China,” he concluded.

For more information on the Global Prayer for the Church and Peoples of China, contact Dr Andrew Bennett at https://globalprayerforchina.org/contact/.