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GLOBAL PRAYER FOR CHINA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GLOBAL PRAYER FOR CHINA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

Coalition of Lay Christians Responds to Cardinal’s Call for Prayer for the Church and Peoples of China

(Friday, May 7, 2021) A new campaign to support a global prayer effort focusing on the persecuted and repressed in China, between May 23-30, is being launched by an informal coalition of lay Christians from six continents.

This campaign formed in response to a “Call for Prayer for the “Church and Peoples of China,” in March, by Cardinal Charles Bo, the president of the Federation of Catholic Asian Bishops Conferences.

Coalition members include American Congressman Chris Smith, the UK’s Lord David Alton, Canadian Parliamentarian Garnett Genuis, Australian Parliamentarian Kevin Andrews, Irish entrepreneur Declan Ganley, Canada’s former religious freedom envoy Andrew Bennett, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Nina Shea, CSW’s expert Benedict Rogers, Ave Maria Law Professor Jane Adolphe, and numerous others.

The campaign’s website – www.GlobalPrayerforChina.org – features resources for pastors, parishes, and individuals, including up-to-date information on the repression and persecution of Christians in China, as well as the genocide of the Uyghurs and others suffering atrocities and injustices throughout China. It includes profiles of individual prisoners of conscience and pastoral resources for prayers and homilies, as well as the text of Cardinal Bo’s call for prayer.

A new three-minute video on the Cardinal’s call for prayer, created for the campaign, is available at www.GlobalPrayerforChina.org and viewable below:

Campaign spokesperson Andrew Bennett stated: “Cardinal Bo has taken a very courageous and welcome step in calling on the Church around the world to pray for the Church and the peoples of China, and it is incumbent on us to respond to his call. That is why a group of Christians has come together to help facilitate this week of prayer.”

He emphasized the importance of having others join in the prayer initiative: “We hope many individuals and parishes will take part in some way, through the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass and in personal, private prayer. Our new website is designed to assist and facilitate this, and we hope that individuals and parishes will use the resources available through the website, spread the word to others, and mobilize the Church worldwide to pray for China.”

For further information on the Global Prayer for the Church and Peoples of China, contact Dr. Andrew Bennett at https://globalprayerforchina.org/contact/.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POPE FRANCIS URGES PRAYER FOR CHINESE CHRISTIANS; FOLLOWS LAUNCH OF GLOBAL PRAYER FOR CHINA CAMPAIGN

Cardinal’s Call for Prayer for The Church and Peoples of China Builds International Support

(Thursday, May 27, 2021)—On May 23rd, Pope Francis added his voice in a growing global movement, started by lay Catholics in March in response to Cardinal Charles Bo’s Call for Prayer for the Church and Peoples of China. Various Cardinals and Bishops, and both the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales have also pledged their prayers for the cause.

Addressing the issue of China and the faithful of that country after the May 23rd recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer, Pope Francis remarked, “Dearest Catholic brothers and sisters in China, I wish to assure you that the universal Church, of which you are an integral part, shares your hopes and supports you in your trials. She accompanies you with prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so that the light and beauty of the Gospel might shine in you as the power of God for the salvation of those who believe.”

Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, voiced his support for Cardinal Bo’s appeal, “Recognizing China’s growing global power, Cardinal Bo has expressed his hope that through these prayers, China ‘may become a force for good and a protector of the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized in the world.’” Similarly, Pope Francis affirmed his prayers for Catholics in China, acknowledging their difficulties, assuring them of his daily prayers, and exhorting them to be good citizens. Francis also appeared to endorse efforts such as the lay-led Global Prayer for China campaign by inviting all the faithful to accompany the Christian faithful in China.

Endorsements and letters of appreciation and participation continue to show support for the Global Call to Prayer, including those from Most Reverend Peter A. Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, Bishop Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton, and Austrian Cardinal Schönborn, who stated that the issue is, “…a matter close to my heart.”

An international coalition formed in response to Cardinal Bo’s Call for Prayer for the Church and Peoples of China is facilitating the global prayer effort launched the week of May 23-30 and focuses on the persecuted and repressed in China. The campaign is backed by an informal coalition of lay Christians from six continents.

Coalition members include American Congressman Chris Smith, the U.K.’s Lord David Alton, Canadian Parliamentarian Garnett Genuis, Australian Parliamentarian Kevin Andrews, Irish entrepreneur Declan Ganley, Canada’s former religious freedom envoy Andrew Bennett, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Nina Shea, CSW’s expert Benedict Rogers, Director of the International Catholic Jurists Forum and Ave Maria Law Professor Jane Adolphe, as well as numerous others. The campaign has also been endorsed by Lord Chris Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong, former U.K. Cabinet Minister, and Vatican advisor. The campaign’s website – www.GlobalPrayerforChina.org— features resources for pastors, parishes, and individuals, including up-to-date information on the repression and persecution of Christians in China and a series of informational videos, including a three-minute video on Cardinal Bo’s call for prayer, created for the campaign. The videos are also available at the International Catholic Jurists Forum’s website: http://icjurist.org/media/.

For further information on the Global Prayer for the Church and Peoples of China, contact Dr. Andrew Bennett at https://globalprayerforchina.org/contact/.