Reconciliation and persecution

• Reconciliation

  The restoring of harmony after relationships have broken down
• Persecution


  Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, or political or religious beliefs
• The primary mission of the worldwide Church

  • To proclaim that Jesus came so that the relationship between God and people can be restored
  • When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he saved humans from sin and through his grace made it possible for humanity to be forgiven
• Reconciliation in the Catholic Church

  • One of the seven sacraments
  • The worldwide Church has a role to firstly restore people's relationship with God and secondly for Christians to reconcile with others who have different views to their own
• Role of the Church in working for reconciliation

  • Coventry Cathedral was bombed during WW2 and local Christians were determined to show forgiveness to those responsible
  • The Irish Churches Peace Project (ICPP) was set up to bring together Christians from all over NI to discuss initiatives to develop peace and understanding
• Christian beliefs about persecution

  • Jesus warned his followers to expect persecution from the world because if they persecuted him, they would persecute his followers too
  • Those who suffer share in a unique way with Jesus
  • Christians should trust God and forgive people, rather than hold on to hatred toward others
  • Christians believe in justice and in the idea that all people should be treated equally
• Responses to Persecution

  • Persecution may help Christians to develop their faith and strengthen their convictions as believers
  • When faced with verbal or physical abuse, Christians are still encouraged to show love as Jesus instructed them to turn the other cheek
• Support offered by the Church

  • Open Doors is a British organisation which helps persecuted Christians by training Christians and church leaders, providing advice and support, and speaking on behalf of Christians to help raise awareness
• The Bible: 'Blessed are those who are persecuted…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Those who believe and do good in the name of God will be blessed and sent to heaven.'
• The Bible: 'If one part of the Church suffers, every part suffers with it. The Church campaigns on behalf of persecuted Christians and supports them where possible.'
• The Bible: 'Christians are not only to be reconciled to God but should be reconciled to one another. Through Christ's death and resurrection Jesus reconciled God and humanity and, because of this, Christians should aim to imitate this and reconcile themselves to others.'