The persecution of Christians in the world: The genocide no one talks about

More than 380 million Christians today suffer persecution and discrimination of various kinds worldwide. Murders, sexual exploitation, state control, and a long list of discrimination, violence, and massacres.

In North Korea, merely carrying a Bible is enough to be forcibly taken to a concentration camp. In Pakistan, entire Christian families fall into labor slavery networks, and women into sexual exploitation, without any protection from the State. Meanwhile, in Nigeria and Congo, assaults and massacres in churches by Muslim terrorists are no longer news.

In Syria and Iraq, especially since the so-called "Arab Springs," there are almost no Christians left: they were either cruelly murdered, forced to convert to Islam, or fled; a silent genocide about which the West speaks little, accustomed to renouncing its Christian roots.

In China, Catholics are controlled and monitored by the State, and in Laos, any neighbor can call the police if they see a crucifix in a home.

"They kill Christians, minorities, anyone..." headlined Diario Perfil on March 9, referring to the massacres currently happening in Syria by radicalized groups that recently took control of the country.

On February 19, 70 Christians were beheaded by jihadists inside a church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to the Open Doors Agency, 1 in 7 Christians is persecuted worldwide; in Africa, 20% of Christians suffer persecution, and in Asia, 40%.

4476 Christians were killed just for being Christians during the year 2024, and 7679 churches and places of worship were attacked. But today's world, so accustomed to seeing "phobias" against any political, social, or religious group, refuses to talk about "Christianophobia." And it's curious, given that Christianity is the foundation of Western civilization.

In the East, persecution occurs in countries with a religious majority different from Christianity, such as Pakistan, India, or Arab countries where building churches is prohibited. Also in countries where the Communist Party continues to rule, such as China or Laos.

In several African countries, Christians are massacred by Islamic terrorist groups, but curiously, the media doesn't see an opportunity there to highlight an unjust tragedy that would move the world.

But persecution is not limited to the East. In the West, although it doesn't manifest in forms of physical violence, there is a growing hostility toward Christianity.

From "Cultural Festivals" where there are dances of half-naked men hanging from lianas in the shape of rosaries as in arteBA, where an image of the Virgin Mary with a face replaced by female genitals was also exhibited, or the image of a Minister of Culture eating a Cake in the shape of Christ; to a ridiculed living nativity scene on a well-known streaming channel that generates hundreds of thousands of impressions and views.

At the same time, in universities and political spheres, those who uphold Christian principles are delegitimized, linking them with retrograde or intolerant positions. These are just everyday examples of religious persecution or Christianophobia spread across all areas of culture and social life.

It is said that in the 20th century, there were more martyrs than in the entire history of the Church. In Spain, a country so close to our history and culture, thousands of Catholics were tortured, executed, and massacred en masse by the Republicans so lauded by the current PSOE of Pedro Sánchez.

More than 6000 priests and bishops were killed: in the streets, in their beds, en masse in seminaries; mutilated, beheaded, tortured, etc. Something similar happened in Mexico at the same time. And by the millions in the Soviet Union, persecuted by Communism that in its various cultural and political variants still survives today.

Throughout history, intolerance against Christians has taken different forms, from direct violence to cultural marginalization. The concerning issue is not just the persecution itself, but the indifference with which it is treated. In a world where various forms of discrimination are condemned, the suffering of Christians seems to be relegated to the background.

Becoming aware of this reality is the first step to preventing history from repeating itself. It's not just about denouncing, but about generating concrete actions to support those who suffer persecution. Silence, indifference, or minimizing this problem only contribute to perpetuating it.

It's time to stop being silent and, like Saint Stephen, follow his example of courage and steadfastness in faith. In his speech before the Sanhedrin, he reminds us: "You will be witnesses of the truth, even if the price is high!".

The time has come to raise our voices and defend the heritage of our living faith in Christ. That's why, as Saint Catherine of Siena said in the 14th century: Enough of silence! Shout with a hundred thousand tongues! because, by being silent, the world is rotten!