Earlier in the year, there was a flurry of reports from across the United States and also across Europe, in particularly France. From smashed windows, desecrated statues, discarded sacred hosts and satanic graffiti its something that sadly and worryingly seems to be on the rise. Before expanding on these issues, lets remind ourselves of what Christ taught in us in John – Chapter 15.
“If the world hate you, know ye, that it hath hated me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.”
[John 15 – 18:20]
It should not be a surprise that we as Catholics face such hatred from wicked people. Christ himself was traded for silver, betrayed, spat upon, mocked, tortured, stripped, nailed to a cross and left to hang with nothing from the cross. We remember too that he told us that we too must bear our own crosses, not only on a personal emotional level but indeed accepting that truly we may face such barbarism simply for professing him as Lord and Saviour. Indeed, we know this to be incredibly true by the courageous witness of the Saints and Martyrs, killed in the most barbaric ways such at St. Lawrence burnt to death on hot coals or St. Maximilian Kolbe starved and poisoned in Auchwitz.
Today though, its highly unlikely that many of us will face such suffering and torment for professing our faith. However, many still are heavily persecuted overseas of whom we must always remember in our prayers! As much as we are fortunate to live relatively unharmed, the increasing hatred to the Catholic Faith from the secular world is increasingly noticeable. In May 2021, in Brooklyn USA there were two incidents of desecration. One at a church where an outdoor statue of the Blessed Virgin was defaced and the infant child Jesus in her arms torn away and smashed on the ground.
The other a stone crucifix toppled and broken outside a Presbytery.
Across France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom there have been many similar occurrences, including the burning of centuries old churches, which sparked many online debates:
“Christianity is under attack and we’re constantly being lied to about the cause of these fires,” tweeted Raheem Kassam, ex-Muslim and chief editor of National Pulse. “Burning churches have become far too common in Europe. These are not accidents,” echoed Israeli Youtuber Hanaya Naptali.
What then, is the solution?
Firstly, prayer of course and acts of reparation to appease almighty God.
But practically, we must come together as a Catholic Community across the West (Divisions both political and liturgical aside). Locally, we must come together as Parishes and protect our shrines, statues, buildings and Priests. Young men from Parishes to regularly check Parish grounds, why not do a quick Rosary whilst you are at it? Fundraise for new security measures such as camera’s, alarms or deterrents.
Of course, we know that Christ warned we would face such hostility, its totally responsible to protect him in the Blessed Sacrament, In His House of Prayer and His Priests.
– Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Have Mercy on us and grant us Strength, Perseverance and Courage!