UK: Podcast series aims to break the silence on Christian persecution
A Catholic charity has announced that it is launching a podcast series tomorrow (12th April) to give a voice to individuals who have suffered for their Christian faith and those advocating for them.
The programme of interviews and discussions – produced by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) (UK) and titled Break the Silence – will see the charity’s staff joined by survivors, clergy, politicians, media personalities and other public figures.
The first three episodes – available on the launch day on YouTube and other podcast platforms – will feature conversations with human rights champion Lord Alton of Liverpool, ACN (UK) National Director Caroline Hull, ACN (UK) Head of Press & Public Affairs John Pontifex and Pakistani Christian advocate Ribqa Nevash.
Future guests will include Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark and Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw of Lahore, Pakistan.
The topics discussed will range from stories of courage and hope in the face of religious freedom violations, to historical overviews of Christian persecution and present-day parliamentary advocacy aiming to bring about positive change.
Also spotlighted will be the Church’s critical role in bringing hope in a situation of extreme poverty, such as in Liberia.
Mr Pontifex said: “A quick scan of the news headlines shows religious freedom is of critical concern – it is a foundational principle that urgently needs to be unpacked and discussed.
He added that the charity chose Break the Silence as the name for the podcast “to reflect the lack of awareness and understanding about the reality of persecution today”.
Mr Pontifex explained: “For many people, it is a non-subject, and to those who suffer it may seem that in the West nobody cares.
He concluded: “We are also aiming to give a platform to people in the public square engaged in advocacy work on behalf of those who suffer in silence.
“It is not enough to talk about this – the focus must be to bring about change.”