Youth rally planned for persecuted Christians

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By Michael J Robinson
A YOUTH rally is to take place bringing together youngsters from across Scotland in a unique act of solidarity with persecuted Christians.
The Scottish Youth Rally will take place at Carfin Lourdes Grotto, 100 Newarthill Road, Motherwell, ML1 5AL, on Thursday, 11th June, starting at 12 noon.
The event is being organised by the Scottish office of Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for suffering Christians.
Youngsters from High Schools from across Scotland have been invited to take part in the event.
The rally is expected to be ACN’s largest gathering of young people in Scotland with 1,000 young adults expected to attend.
Event organiser Lorraine McMahon, ACN’s Head of Operations in Scotland, said: “The Scottish Youth Rally is an opportunity for the youth of this country to stand together in solidarity with the millions of suffering and persecuted Christians all around the world.”
Michael Robinson, ACN’s Communications Executive in Scotland, added: “There can be no doubt that the violence and oppression experienced by Christians has become so severe that in parts of the world – notably in the Middle East and Nigeria – they are faced with extinction.”
Among those giving talks will be Father Ambrose Ohene from Nigeria who will speak on the threat of Boko Haram.
ACN has invited the leader of every political party in Scotland to attend the event.
Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Bishops Conference of Pakistan has also been invited to address the rally.
Lorraine McMahon said: “To the political leaders I say, please don’t be indifferent to the issues faced by persecuted Christians.
“Come and join us in June to learn about the forgotten human rights issue of the day.”
The call to action made by Lorraine McMahon echoes the words made on Good Friday 2015 by the Vatican’s official preacher Father Raniero Cantalamessa who denounced the: “…disturbing indifference of world institutions in the face of all this killing of Christians.”
Also due to attend is Bishop John Keenan of Paisley who will represent the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.
According to the International Society for Human Rights, 80 percent of all acts of religious persecution in the world today are directed at Christians.
Those unable to attend the event will be able to follow the Rallty via Twitter @ACN_Scotland and using #ACNYouthRally.
• You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to the Rally on Thursday 11th June 2015, to Carfin Lourdes Grotto, 100 Newarthill Road, Motherwell, ML1 5AL.
• For more information, contact Michael J Robinson, ACN Communication Execuative in Scotland 01698 337 472/07908033878.