American Catholics are signaling a dramatic surge in concern about the persecuted church.
And prayer, alone, is no longer good enough, as more say money and arms are needed too.
Asked their opinion about Christian persecution worldwide in the fourth annual survey by Aid to the Church in Need–USA (ACNUSA), 67 percent stated they were “very concerned.”
Last year, only 52 percent said the same.
Similarly, 57 percent stated the level of persecution suffered by Christians is “very severe.”
Last year, only 41 percent said the same.
The increase is “heartening,” said George Marlin, ACNUSA chairman.
“Christian persecution around the world is very grave,” he said. “[Catholics] want both their church and their government to step up efforts to do more.”
They have already been praying: 7 in 10 stated prayer is a “very important” initiative to help—the same share as last year, and up from 64 percent in the first survey in 2018.
But now, 62 percent say it is “very important” to donate to agencies that support the persecuted, up from 53 percent last year. Half say they are “very likely” to do so, up from 35 percent. And 61 percent say they gave within the last year, up from 53 percent in 2020.
And while about half believe Pope Francis is “very engaged” on the issue of persecution (52%, up from 47%), they believe their local bishop lags behind. Only 3 in 10 (30%) find him “very engaged,” marginally improved from the perception of 27 percent the year before.
The local parish seems to them similarly disconnected, with only 28 percent perceiving it to be “very engaged,” up from 22 percent last year. It is not enough, per American Catholics: 2 in 3 said…
This article was originally published at Christianity Today, on March 18, 2021. Please click here to read the full text.
Jayson Casper 