The Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has introduced the ‘Red Wednesday’ initiative, designed to raise global awareness of the religious persecution endured by Christians.
This year, the observance will take place on Wednesday, November 19. The purpose of ‘Red Wednesday’ is to show solidarity with Christians who are persecuted and killed daily for their faith in Christ, while also highlighting this critical issue on the global stage.
The campaign was established in 2016 as an opportunity to shine light on the millions of people who are persecuted for their faith. On November 19, churches and schools worldwide will be lit up in red to honor the sacrifices of Christian martyrs.
Amid rising religious persecution of Christians, the Red Wednesday observance, launched by ACN, is gaining significant global support. Events marking Red Wednesday are being held in churches across countries such as France, Germany, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Portugal, Slovakia, and Switzerland.
Red Wednesday serves as a reminder of the vital importance of religious freedom, a fundamental human right guaranteed by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It encourages everyone to make a visible act of solidarity by wearing red—the color symbolizing martyrdom—as a sign of unity with Christians facing persecution.