Famous Christians Lend Their Names to Anti-Persecution Campaign

ICC Note

Christian leaders are supporting a new campaign to help the persecuted Christians in Orissa.

By Peter Wooding

10/15/2009 India (ANS)-Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York in the north of England is the latest in a long line of well-known UK Christians to show support for a new campaign backing persecuted Christians Orissa, India .

FaithwithoutFear.org is a joint campaign from Premier Christian Media and charity Open Doors. Their aim is to affect change for 50,000 Christians in Orissa , India , who were forced from their homes over a year ago by calling for 50,000 letters to be sent to the Indian Prime Minister calling for change.

“In August 2008, a wave of communal violence engulfed Christians in Orissa,” explained Premier’s CEO, Peter Kerridge.

He added: “Three hundred villages and 4,000 homes were destroyed. Over 120 people lost their lives and 50,000 were driven from their homes.

“A year on, thousands of Christians are still displaced, many of them continue to face hardship and persecution. They cannot return home because they fear for their lives or fear the threat of forced conversion. Their situation is desperate.”

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York told Premier Christian Radio: “I will always support justice for those who are persecuted for their faith around the globe. That is why I am supporting the Faith Without Fear Campaign that seeks to raise awareness of the suffering of Christians in Orissa state, India . I wish Open Doors and Premier Christian Media – and all those who sign up for justice – every success with this campaign.”

Dr Sentamu stands alongside the Bishop of Northampton, Peter Doyle, Christian leader and speaker Gerald Coates, director of Share Jesus International, Andy Frost and author and speaker Fiona Castle in support of the FaithwithoutFear.org campaign.

The charities are looking for 120 well known Christians to support the campaign, representing the 120 people that lost their lives during the conflict. In addition, they hope to raise 50,000 letters to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, calling for change.