Persecuted church agency Release International has welcomed a somewhat unusual event hosted by the European Parliament in Brussels – an exhibition about persecuted Christians worldwide.
The organiser was Dutch Christian MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, together with Open Doors and SDOK (Foundation of the Underground Church). He said at the opening, which was attended by more than 100 people: ‘The EU has a moral duty to credibly protect freedom of religion. The EU claims to be a community of values but is now too often silent on serious violations. The thousands of victims and families must be able to rely on EU action. As an economic power bloc, we must hold all countries accountable, such that all believers are free to practice their religion.’
The exhibition features dozens of photos of victims of Christian persecution, including a photograph of a Chinese believer who was hung by his legs from a horizontal pole by the police.
Last summer the European Parliament hosted an exhibition depicting an LGBT Jesus that was strongly criticised by parliamentarians.
Release International spokesman Andrew Boyd commented: ‘Each time I meet my persecuted brothers and sisters I’m humbled at heart. There’s nothing more powerful than looking into the faces of others if we’re to put ourselves in their shoes. Art, and portraiture in particular, does that so well. It creates empathy.’
SDOK is a sister organisation to Release International.’
