A new report by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need reveals that persecution and oppression of Christians has soared by 75% in the past two years.
It monitors 24 countries and found systematic violence and a climate of control being used to oppress believers in North Korea, China, India and Myanmar.
Its report titled Persecuted and Forgotten showed a worsening situation in Afghanistan and Nigeria and a sharp rise in genocidal violence from Islamic extremists in Africa.
Bishop Jude Arogundade’s Diocese of Ondo in Nigeria was targeted by gunmen on Pentecost Sunday in June, killing more than 40 people.
He told Premier Christian News that Christians are very afraid and want to ensure their security when they go to church.
He said the roads are not safe with many believers being kidnapped for ransom.
The bishop lamented that no-one seems to pay attention to the ‘genocide’ taking place across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“The world is silent as attacks on churches, their personnel and institutions have become routine. How many corpses are required to get the world’s attention?” he queried.
The charity’s report also underlined a threat to three of the world’s oldest Christian communities in Iraq, Syria and Palestine where more and more believers are fleeing violent persecution.
It noted that across Asia religious nationalism has caused increasing persecution of Christians in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
