The 21st century is the era of Christian martyrs -- faithful men and women who remain steadfast in their testimony to Christ's salvation to the end. It is the power of Christ's resurrection and the living presence of Christ in their lives and loyalty to Him that overcomes all thoughts of self-preservation and apostasy. [cf. The New Testament - Mark 8:34-38] It is shameful that the free world cares so little and does so little to protect innocent people.
Mark Woods reports:
The Italian Bishop of Tripoli has refused to leave the Libyan city in spite of the deaths of the 21 Coptic Christians, and has said that he is ready for martyrdom.
Bishop Giovanni Martinelli has stayed in the city although almost all of his countrymen have left, repatriated by the Italian government in the face of the serious threat posed by Islamic State jihadists. They returned on a ferry escorted by an Italian warship covered by Predator drone flying overhead.
In an interview with the Corriere del Veneto newspaper, Martinelli said that his decision to stay was "the culmination of my testimony". He said that he had been threatened in the street by a Muslim man who told him, "You are against Islam."
"In church they came to tell me that I must die," he added.
"Being able to give testimony is a precious thing," he said. "I thank the Lord that he allows me to do so, even with martyrdom.
"I'm not moving from here. And I'm not afraid." . . .
The bishop has lived in Libya since 1971 and regards it as his home. When he arrived in the country there were 150,000 Christians there, a number that has dwindled to only 300.
Me: Thank God for those organizations that stand for religious freedom and help materially the families of those who are killed, the thousands made refugees, and those otherwise persecuted for their faith