Earlier this year, the non-governmental organisation “Open Doors” released the “World Watch List” for 2024, indicating that over 360 million Christians worldwide suffered severe persecution because of their faith between October 2022 and September 2023. Christians have been persecuted more and more over the past decade, with many countries classified as highly or extremely dangerous for Christians. North Korea has consistently topped the list since 2002.
Globally, the World Watch List selects 50 countries and assesses them based on six factors: the severity and number of violent incidents, religious freedom, personal life, family life, community life, and the pressure of persecution experienced at the national level. Higher scores indicate more severe persecution of Christians in that country. Compared to previous years, 2023 was undoubtedly the most challenging year for Christians.
In all 50 countries studied, researchers found that Christians faced violent attacks more frequently than they had in the past. There were attacks on nearly 15,000 churches or Church buildings, including schools and hospitals. In Sub-Saharan Africa, political instability, war, and extremism have made Christians extremely vulnerable. Weak governments have failed to effectively stop radical groups who attack Christians with impunity, often killing them because of their faith. For example, ninety per cent of religiously motivated murder incidents occurred in Nigeria.
Aside from the death toll, Christians have also been forced to leave their homes due to political unrest, war, natural disasters, and other factors. As an example, Christians in Syria are suffering violence, with churches and Church leaders being attacked by extremists. There is a heavy burden on the Christians there on top of the pressures they face in their daily lives.
North Korea is ranked first on the World Watch List with a score of 96, followed by Somalia and Libya with scores of 93 and 91, respectively, where Christians cannot practice their faith. The report states, “Those who have recently converted will face death once found.” Pakistan and Iran rank seventh and ninth among Asian countries, respectively. India, ranked eleventh, saw a glimmer of hope as its “anti-conversion laws” (which prohibit conversion to religions other than Hinduism) were rejected in major southern provinces, offering a ray of hope to long-persecuted Christians.
Pope Francis called on us to build a better world in his Lenten message and to consider whether the cries of oppressed people have been heard by us. Lent asks us to pause and pray in order to receive God’s Word so we can learn from the Samaritan’s example by approaching and caring for our wounded brothers and sisters to become companions and fellow travellers on the journey. SE
Christian persecution on the rise worldwide
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