Religious quotes and news – February 12, 2023
Over 300m Christians persecuted
According to the annual report by Open Doors, one in seven Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. This amounts to 312 million Christians who face very high or extreme levels.
Open Doors is an organisation that helps persecuted Christians. Its annual World Watch List noted that 5,621 Christians were killed for their faith last year.
The 10 nations with the highest levels of persecution are North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Sudan.
‘Parishes are not a club’ ‒ pope
In a video made by Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Francis explained his vision for parishes: “Parishes are not a club for the few, which give a kind of social belonging.” He said parishes “have to become schools of service and generosity, with their doors always open to those who are excluded. To all.” They must be “close-knit communities, without bureaucracy, people-centred”.
‘Don’t be cold bureaucrats’
Pope Francis told the priests and religious in the Democratic Republic of Congo on February 2 to be careful not to become “cold bureaucrats of the spirit” concerned more with finances and turning...