NEW YORK- Concerns over global anti-Christian persecution have dropped among American Catholics, a shocking report has revealed McLaughlin & Associates surveyed Christian charity ‘Aid to the Church in Need’. More than half of Catholics in the United States are concerned about the persecution of Christians, but it has declined in the last two years. In 2018, 69% of Catholics had a ‘big concern’ about Christian persecution, compared to 52% today. The number of Christians who believe that anti-Christian persecution is severe is down 11 percent compared to last year.
At the same time, the number of Catholics who think that human trafficking, poverty, climate change, and the global refugee problem are the most important issues, has increased exponentially. The study also found that those who profess to be strictly Catholic are more likely to view Christian persecution as one of the most important issues. But even that section considers human trafficking as the most important issue for three consecutive years. Catholics in the United States believe that Christian persecution is the highest in Iran. American Catholics regard North Korea, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia as countries that persecute Christians.
When asked if there is any way to combat anti-Christian persecution, 68% of American Catholics said the answer was prayer. They have also advocated raising their voice for the persecuted Christians, helping them financially, and asking members of the American Congress to help the Christians. 47% of Catholics believe that Pope Francis is deeply involved in the suffering of the persecuted Christian community. Reuters
