Philippines Church observes "Red Wednesday" on November 23

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in the Philippines has asked all Christians in the country to take part in the annual celebration of "Red Wednesday" at Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Antipolo Cathedral in Rizal, Philippines.

"Everyone is welcome as we pray and stand in solidarity for Christians around the world being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ," said Msgr. Gerardo Santos, ACN Philippines’ chief operating officer. 

With this year’s theme "Blessed are the Persecuted,"  Red Wednesday is an initiative of ACN to pray for and draw attention to Christians who suffer and are persecuted for their faith.

Msgr. Gerardo Santos said, "If possible, the building façades of the churches, schools, and participating institutions are to be illuminated or decorated in red."

ACN is the official papal charity for persecuted Christians around the world, with 23 offices worldwide, including one in the Philippines.

"Where there is violence and terror, ACN aids and materially responds to the call of the mission to promote ecclesial and spiritual communion between those who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ, and those who possess a compassionate and generous heart," Santos added.

In the Philippines, the Catholic Bishops' Conference (CBCP) made 'Red Wednesday' an official church event in January 2020.

ACN is an international Catholic charity that helps Christians who are persecuted, oppressed, or in need of material help.

Private contributors' generosity makes this possible. ACN asserts that they do not get any public, government, or official church financing.

ACN helps Christians all over the world by giving them information, praying for them, and taking action.-With inputs from CBCP News