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A Happy New Year

The Presentation Brothers wish you all a happy and blessed New Year!

These are difficult days for Christians in many parts of the world. Recent violence in Alexandria reminds us that believers in some parts of the world face death for their belief in Jesus Christ.

In the 2011 Message for World Day of Peace, Pope Benedict XVI said;

"I ask all Catholics for their prayers and support for their brethren in the faith who are victims of violence and intolerance. In this context, I have felt it particularly appropriate to share some reflections on religious freedom as the path to peace. It is painful to think that in some areas of the world it is impossible to profess one’s religion freely except at the risk of life and personal liberty. In other areas we see more subtle and sophisticated forms of prejudice and hostility towards believers and religious symbols. At present, Christians are the religious group which suffers most from persecution on account of its faith. Many Christians experience daily affronts and often live in fear because of their pursuit of truth, their faith in Jesus Christ and their heartfelt plea for respect for religious freedom. This situation is unacceptable, since it represents an insult to God and to human dignity; furthermore, it is a threat to security and peace, and an obstacle to the achievement of authentic and integral human development."

- Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Peace, 2011.

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