UNITED KINGDOM: Top UK Gov religious liberty envoy sees red after meeting man almost killed for Faith

The UK Government’s freedom of religion champion has led calls for renewed action to protect persecuted Christians and other believers – after meeting a Nigerian catechist who missed death by inches.

Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Special Envoy David Smith MP met Tobias Yahaya yesterday (Wednesday, 19th November) at an event in the House of Commons marking #RedWednesday.

Mr Smith said: “It was a true honour to meet Tobias – a Catholic from northern Nigeria who was stabbed and assaulted simply for being a visible Christian.”

The 26-year-old Nigerian catechist told Mr Smith and other MPs that he was in bed one night when extremists broke in and plunged a knife into his chest – it missed hitting vital organs and arteries by mere inches.

Tobias Yahaya told parliamentarians that at the trial of the man he tried to kill him he asked the judge if he could hug his assailant, who cried when he did.

He said: “I had a choice to be angry or to love and I chose love. Jesus tells us we must forgive, not seven times but 70 times.”

Following the meeting Mr Smith said: “We must do more to protect people like Tobias.”

Earlier, Mr Smith released a #RedWednesday video message filmed in London’s Foreign Office in which he said: “No-one should live in fear because of what they believe. It’s a daunting task but we have to step up to create a fairer and freer world we all believe in.”

At a packed #RedWednesday Mass at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark yesterday evening Tobias Yahaya received Aid to the Church in Need’s Courage to be Christian award for returning to his ministry after being knifed, despite the ongoing risks.

Holding back tears as he received the award, Tobias stressed that he was receiving the award on behalf of his diocese and all those who are persecuted for their faith.

ACN (UK)’s National Director, Dr Caroline Hull said “It was truly inspiring to hear Tobias’s story in the magnificent surroundings of St George’s.

“Tobias reminds us all of the courage needed to be a Christian in the face of hatred and anger.

“By forgiving his attackers and continuing his work – he is living the ideals of our faith and is a worthy winner of this year’s award.”

St George’s was one of more than 635 churches around the world that was lit up in red.

Churches were also illuminated in cities including Berlin, Bogotá, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Mexico City, Paris, Rome, Toronto, Vienna and Zurich.

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, the newly appointed Bishop of Plymouth, presided over the Mass at St George’s and Canon Victor Darlington, Episcopal Vicar for Southwark Archdiocese, gave the homily.

Ecumenical dignitaries at the event included Anglican Bishop Christopher Chessun of Southwark, Assyrian Church of the East Bishop Awraham Youkhanis of Western Europe and Bishop Manukyan, the primate of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Great Britain.

#RedWednesday is a day of global prayer set up by Aid to the Church in Need that highlights Christian persecution and encourages people to stand in solidarity with all those suffering for their beliefs.