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Archbishop highlights plight of persecuted Christians Archbishop highlights plight of persecuted Christians
(about 5 hours later)
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has used his Christmas message to highlight the plight of Christians being persecuted for their faith. The Archbishop of Canterbury will use his first Christmas Day sermon to highlight "injustices" facing Britain's poor and victims of world conflicts.
The Archbishop of Westminster said many, especially in the Middle East, were risking their lives to worship. The Most Reverend Justin Welby, will also condemn the treatment of Christian communities in the Middle East.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to raise similar concerns in his first Christmas Day sermon later. "They are driven into exile from a region in which their presence has always been essential," he will say.
Justin Welby will also highlight injustices faced by the poor in the UK. The Archbishop of Westminster has also talked about the plight of Christians who are persecuted for their faith.
Speaking at Christmas midnight Mass in Westminster Cathedral, Archbishop Vincent Nichols told the congregation to give "a special thought and prayer" to Christians around the world who suffer for their faith. Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, said many, especially in the Middle East, were risking their lives to worship.
Speaking at Christmas midnight Mass in Westminster Cathedral, Archbishop Nichols told the congregation to give "a special thought and prayer" to those Christians.
"Christians are the most widely persecuted religious group in the world today and this evening we think especially of the Middle East, especially of Egypt, Iraq and Syria," he said."Christians are the most widely persecuted religious group in the world today and this evening we think especially of the Middle East, especially of Egypt, Iraq and Syria," he said.
Archbishop Nichols cited similar concerns voiced by the Prince of Wales this month during a visit to the Coptic and Syrian Orthodox communities in Hertfordshire and London. Archbishop Welby, who was enthroned in March, will be speaking at morning service in Canterbury Cathedral.
Twitter campaign He will say: "Christians are attacked and massacred and we see terrible news in South Sudan, where political ambitions have led towards ethnic conflict. On Saturday I was speaking to a bishop under siege, in a compound full of the dying."
"As Prince Charles said last week: 'Christianity was literally born in the Middle East and we must not forget our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters'," he said. The Archbishop also plans to "challenge the causes of poverty".
"We come to this Cathedral this evening freely and relatively easily, ready to give a simple act of witness to our faith," he said.
"But for many, going to church is an act of life-risking bravery. We thank them and seek to be inspired by their courageous faith."
The Most Reverend Justin Welby is also expected to condemn attacks on the Christian religion in the Middle East when he speaks at morning service in Canterbury Cathedral.
Archbishop Welby, who was enthroned in March, also plans to "challenge the causes of poverty".
The former oil company executive - who this year launched a campaign against payday lending firms - will refer to "injustices at home... even in a recovering economy".The former oil company executive - who this year launched a campaign against payday lending firms - will refer to "injustices at home... even in a recovering economy".
He will add: "Christians, the servants of a vulnerable and poor saviour, need to act to serve and love the poor, they need also to challenge the causes of poverty."
Earlier he posted a brief Christmas video message on the photo-sharing website Instagram and tweeted a link to the clip through his Twitter account.Earlier he posted a brief Christmas video message on the photo-sharing website Instagram and tweeted a link to the clip through his Twitter account.
He said: "Christmas means that, through Jesus, God shows unconditionally that he loves us. I pray that he gives you a very blessed Christmas."He said: "Christmas means that, through Jesus, God shows unconditionally that he loves us. I pray that he gives you a very blessed Christmas."
Twitter campaign
Lambeth Palace said the video message was part of a Church of England campaign which aims to encourage congregations and clergy to let people know what they see as the "joy and meaning of Christmas".Lambeth Palace said the video message was part of a Church of England campaign which aims to encourage congregations and clergy to let people know what they see as the "joy and meaning of Christmas".
It urges Anglicans across the world to complete the sentence: "Christmas means..." and send their message through Twitter.It urges Anglicans across the world to complete the sentence: "Christmas means..." and send their message through Twitter.
During his speech, Archbishop Nichols cited similar concerns voiced by the Prince of Wales this month during a visit to the Coptic and Syrian Orthodox communities in Hertfordshire and London.
"As Prince Charles said last week: 'Christianity was literally born in the Middle East and we must not forget our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters'," he said.
"We come to this Cathedral this evening freely and relatively easily, ready to give a simple act of witness to our faith," he said.
"But for many, going to church is an act of life-risking bravery. We thank them and seek to be inspired by their courageous faith."