Hunting Christians

Easter’s Christian hunt
By: Greg Maresca
 
Easter arrived late this year especially when you consider how it was on March 31st last year. I
often wonder how many of the American faithful understand that every year it is the lunar cycle
that determines Easter’s date. 
 
Easter is not just another benevolent Sunday, rather it is the holy remembrance of the salvific
victory Jesus Christ had over death and is the defining moment in human history. 
 
The preceding sentence is sure to work up some readers.
 
Provided it does, just move on – it’s that simple.
 
After all, that is what the op/ed page is for. Differences in opinions and facts should lead to
discussion and debate, not enmity and censorship.  America needs more Jefferson and Paine and
less Marx and Mussolini.
 
This column was absent from some publications last week because it exposed how Planned
Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortion mill outside of Communist China and funded by your
tax dollars. This publication was not one of them and they are a credit to the journalistic creed.
The naysayers’ argument was Planned Parenthood provides healthcare for women.  Aborting
nearly 400,000 babies yearly isn’t healthcare: it’s murder.  Science and Scripture both affirm that
life begins at conception.  Abortion intentionally ends human life, which is made in the image of
God making abortion humanity’s scourge upon itself.   
 
Moreover, plenty of news’ outlets rarely, if ever, acknowledge the carnage that so many
Christians face daily – worldwide.  Within the last month, hundreds have been murdered, raped,
and tortured in Syria alone.
 
Ironically, those facing the greatest persecution are the most devout Christians and rarely are
they in the United States. That is not to say persecution doesn’t exist in America because it
certainly does. 
 
The FBI has targeted and infiltrated the churches of traditional Catholics, which the feds
regarded as potential violent extremists.  Since 2020, at least 372 attacks have occurred against
American Catholic churches.  According to the Family Research Council, “acts of hostility”
against all churches doubled from 2022 to 2023.  Dating to 2018, the violence increased eight-
fold.  
 
In Africa, the Middle East, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nicaragua,
Venezuela, and Cuba persecution is bloody murderous and business as usual. In Nigeria, nearly
5,000 Catholics and Protestants are murdered, yearly.  The body counts worldwide are attributed
to Islamism and communistic atheism that seek to deliver Christianity to history’s ash heap.
 

Unlike Catholics in other parts of the world, those living in the West for the most part, have not
had to endure nearly as much but they are increasing.  Some persecution is backhanded like
when Sen. Dianne Feinstein infamously told Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett that “the
dogma lives loudly within you.” While others are violently unprovoked.  When Roe v. Wade was
overturned, the left attacked Catholic churches. 
 
The 20th century had the most Christian martyrs than all the other centuries combined making
the faith the most persecuted religion on planet earth.  Estimates say 300 million Christians
worldwide are under constant threat including the once “Christian West.”  
It was nearly a decade ago in France, once known as the eldest daughter of the Church that
Father Jacques Hamel was beheaded, and three worshipers had their throats slashed during Mass.
 Christians around the world face this reality every single day, enduring hostility, imprisonment,
and even death.   
 
International institutions are of little help. However, one pontifical organization established in
1947 stands alone.  Aid to the Church in Need USA provides humanitarian support to persecuted
Christians the world over and has been most effective.  They support over 5,000 projects
annually in 149 countries rebuilding churches, aiding refugees, and sponsoring Catholic media.
 
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned persecution would come. Likewise, in his final letter
to his acolyte Timothy, St. Paul was blunt: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted.”  
 
Most American Catholics are apathetic, and their silence is tacit approval to the prevailing
culture.  Many preach about tolerance and religious liberty especially those in the news’ media
but few work toward its reality. 
 
Persecuted Catholics risk everything for their faith – daily.
Today’s frontline is not some venue a world away but your own front door. 
 
Until Christians accept these things it will only get worse.