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A rising tide of sacrifice for the faith
Between 1980 - 1989 at least 115 missionaries died violently. Between 1990 - 2000 at least 604 were killed, a figure substantially higher than the previous decade as it includes the genocide in Rwanda (1994). Also, many Church personnel are included whom Pope John Paul II described as ‘martyrs of charity’ – sacrificing their lives rather than abandoning the people entrusted to their care. Between 2001 – 2006 152 pastoral workers have been killed. Remember them and all who are similarly tested for their faith.
You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen, and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever.
Amen
1 Pet 5:10-11
Almighty, ever-living God you gave your martyrs grace to lay down their lives for Christ.
Help our weakness too: give us the strength to live for you even as they did not shrink from dying for your sake.
From Morning Prayer,
Common of Several Martyrs
Records of those who have given their lives in recent years appears in the left-hand margin of this page.
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