“Consider the many kidnapped priests and sisters in Africa, who are held for ransom by militias … We have much to learn from them. Are we helping them, or are we maybe sitting on their cross? We have to know that they are ready to help us carry our cross with their life, prayer, and death,” Marcela Szymanski said at a Vatican press conference on the 12th of February.

Szymanski connected via video link to the Vatican event reflecting on Pope Francis’ Lenten message to share stories from the persecuted communities that she represents through her work.

“The example of those who would rather die than renounce their faith is unforgettable and very hard to comprehend,” Szymanski said.

“When I hear the stories of those oppressed and my eyes cannot get any bigger, just listening to them. They tell me: ‘But Marcela, please, when you speak about us, ask them to pray for us. We want to be like you, to be able to read the Bible whenever we want, to go to temples that are open all day, to celebrate Christmas like you do.”

“Then the vision of dusty Bibles on shelves, closed churches, the strange Christmas that we lived recently comes to my mind … And I have to answer them: ‘No, I will not pray for you to be like us, but for us to be like you. And I and my neighbours would like to have your strong faith and hope in the future, and the strength to keep giving to others as you do,’” she said.

Source: CNA