CBCP calls on archdioceses, dioceses to support ‘Red Wednesday’ campaign

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on archdioceses and dioceses around the country to support the Red Wednesday campaign of the Aid to the Church in Need on Nov. 29 in solidarity with persecuted Christians all over the world.

CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said the annual observance is an opportunity to remember and pay tribute to persecuted Christians in different parts of the world.

This year’s theme ‘Embracing Persecuted, Oppressed and Christians in Need’ aims to spread awareness on the hardships and difficulties faced by Christians in many countries.

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, once again I just want to remind you that we are observing our annual Red Wednesday this year 2023 on November 29th with the theme “Embracing Persecuted, Oppressed, and Christians in Need.” This is our annual remembrance of the suffering Church and persecuted Christians worldwide,” said Bishop David.

“This year’s theme is drawn from the pastoral direction of the Universal Church through the Synod on Synodality. ACN believes that the local Church journeys with the persecuted and oppressed Christians in need and embraces their experiences,” the Church leader added.

The country’s Mother Church, the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila will hold an “Evening Eucharistic Celebration for Persecuted Christians in the Philippines and Worldwide” on Nov. 29 with a holy mass at 6 p.m. to be presided over by Monsignor Bernardo Pantin, secretary general of the CBCP.

The CBCP approved the institutionalization of the Red Wednesday campaign of the Aid to the Church in Need in January 2020 as an annual observance of the Philippine Church in solidarity and as a tribute to all persecuted Christians around the world.