My Thoughts on 25/11/2020

This morning’s news is full of the COVID rules for Christmas and speculation about the Chancellors spending review. But today is also “Red Wednesday”. It is designated as the day for us to witness to the tens of millions of Christians who go in fear of their life because of their Faith. Instituted by Pope, Red Wednesday is gaining increasing support from governments and Christian leaders around the world.

Last year both the Foreign Office and Parliament were lit up in red. Along with buildings all over Britain and the world, our own church of St Thomas of Canterbury will be going red this evening at 6pm. Were it not for lockdown, we would be holding a vigil service outside the church, as happened last year.

Please remember especially Maira Shahbaz, a 13 year old Catholic, who was abducted in Pakistan, raped, forced into ‘marriage’ and conversion to Islam, and then pimped to her husband’s friends and associates. She courageously escaped but she and her family are in hiding. There are hundreds of cases like hers among Pakistan’s small Christian community every year. Fortunately, Aid to Church in Need (ACN) has taken on her case paying for lawyers. ACN is now campaigning for Maira and her mother to be granted asylum in the UK. If you wish to sign the petition here is the link.