Media silence on the growing vulnerability of persecuted Christians

The persecution of Christians in various regions of the world is intensifying, but it remains largely outside the media spotlight and international agendas. Organizations such as Aid to the Church in Need warn that more than 360 million Christians live in contexts of “high levels of persecution or discrimination.”

During a recent speech before the United Nations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher criticized member states for “turning their backs” on this reality. He pointed out that “the data shows that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, and yet the international community seems to ignore their situation.”

Journalistic investigations underscore that this lack of attention is due to several factors: the geographical location of the violence (remote areas of Sub-Saharan Africa or the Middle East), the lack of geopolitical interest, and the challenge of breaking with established narratives that underpin international relations.

The consequences of this silence are not merely symbolic: persecution includes murder, destruction of churches, forced displacement, and restrictions on the practice of worship. Recent reports indicate that the number of countries where Christians suffer “high or extreme” levels of persecution has doubled in the last three decades.

This lack of visibility weakens international mobilization, limits pressure on the governments involved, and reduces aid resources for affected communities. Consequently, many victims remain isolated, vulnerable, and without the full extent of their suffering being recognized.

In a world saturated with media crises such as armed conflicts, pandemics, and migration, the persecution of Christians seems to remain a “forgotten story,” despite its gravity and scope.