SOLIDARITY WITH THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

Mission

In just the past several years, events in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia have dramatically demonstrated that the Christian presence in these and other regions of the world is facing a new and extremely potent strain of persecution. The future existence of a Christian Church in countries such as, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria and Nigeria is uncertain, and the ability of Christians to practice their faith in peace and freedom is curtailed in these and other countries. The “Arab Spring" which promised greater democracy and personal liberty was hijacked by a renewed fundamentalism, resulting in displacement, discrimination and persecution of Christians.

The purpose of Solidarity with the Persecuted Church is to assist the Christian Church (whether Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant) in areas of the world where it faces the greatest degree of adversity in order to:

• Maintain the viability of the Church
• Allow Christians to fully participate in the development and public life of the nations of which they are citizens
• Worship openlyand in peace
• Live in a harmonious relationship with their neighbors.

Solidarity with the Persecuted Church provides funding and technical expertise to the local Christian Church for projects which increase its ability to carry-out its salvific and humanitarian missions. Eligible projects also include secular facilities, such as clinics and schools, since the provision of humanitarian services by the Church is an important means of defending its presence in hostile environments.

In all cases, Solidarity with the Persecuted Church supports only those initiatives defined by local church leaders. We seek to increase the effectiveness of these leaders and the capacity of their churches. SPC is dedicated to increasing ecumenism among persecuted churches and bringing the entire Christian community together; therefore SPC cooperates with all Christian churches and evaluates their initiatives without regard to religious denomination.