Vienna, Austria, Dec 1, 2016 / 00:08 am
European leaders gathered this week at a conference in Vienna to discuss Christian persecution and its resounding effect on Europe, particularly emphasizing the need to seriously address religious discrimination and genocide around the world.
"The persecution faced by Christians around the world must be recognized and treated by the international community with the seriousness it deserves," Ellen Fantini, executive director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians, stated Nov. 29.
"The pressure faced by Christians in Europe is much more subtle – what Pope Francis has called 'polite persecution.'"
The conference, entitled "Embattled: Christians Under Pressure in Europe and Beyond," drew more than 100 attendees. It was held at the archbishop's palace in Vienna, with the hope of informing the public, lawmakers and officials of the ongoing threats of religious persecution.