Asian laity congress honours continent’s martyrs

(September 3, 2010) The Congress of Asian Catholic laity currently in session in Seoul, South Korea, dedicated Friday to martyrdom and persecution of the Church in the vast continent. “Courageous Witness of Faith,” was the theme of an address that the director of Rome-based AsiaNews agency, Fr Bernardo Cervellera delivered at the congress on Friday morning. The Congress of Asian Catholic Laity on the theme, “Proclaiming Jesus Christ in Asia Today” began on August 31 and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday. In his paper on martyrdom and religious freedom in the continent, Fr. Cervellera said that Asian churches are those that have counted the greatest number of martyrs throughout history, with periods of persecution that lasted entire centuries. Even today, he said, the persecution and violations of religious freedom profoundly mark the life of Christian communities in Asia. The commitment to religious freedom and solidarity towards the persecuted communities is the mission of the whole Church and especially the laity. After Fr Cervellera’s address a lively debate followed, in which numerous experiences of prayer, and support for persecuted communities in India, China, Sri Lanka, North Korea emerged. The situation in neighbouring North Korea is deeply felt by local Catholics, who try in every way to alleviate the hardships and press for concession of freedom in the northern regime. Friday afternoon, congress participants visited the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine in Seoul and celebrate Mass to honour Korean martyrs.