The bishops of Canada have joined with the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus in writing a joint letter to Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, regarding the situation of Christians in various countries of the Middle East and Africa.
The letter was signed by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the CCCB, and by one of the three Co Chairs of the Caucus, Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl.
In their letter, they state that “while we recognize that many religious and ethnic communities are subjected to prejudice in various countries, many observers have noted in recent years that Christians experience religious persecution more than any other faith group on a global scale and in absolute numbers.”
“The Pew Research Center released findings this past February 26 which confirm that Christians around the world face more persecution, restrictions, hostility and harassment than any other religious group (Latest Trends in Religious Restrictions and Hostilities; http://www.pewforum.org/). Similar findings are reported by Aid to the Church in Need which regularly issues extensive research on the situation of religious freedom around the world.”
The letter is dated Dec. 15, following the last day of the 2015 Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, and just 10 days before Christmas. This is a season filled with hope, faithfulness and expectation for Jews and Christians, and both Hanukkah and Christmas are symbolized by the celebration of light even in the midst of shadows and darkness.
Read the letter here: http://www.cccb.ca/site/images/stories/pdf/Joint_Letter_to_Minister_Dion_re_Christians_in_Middle_East_-_EN.pdf
