Scottish Catholic Observer

Ann Widdecombe has been named as Aid to the Church in Need’s special envoy on religious freedom.

The former Conservative government minister (above), and recent Strictly Come Dancing contestant, will work with the Catholic charity to raise awareness of violence and intimidation of Christians around the world, even travelling to places where Christians are persecuted.

“We in this country are rightly concerned to protect the rights of minorities over here,” Miss Widdecombe said. “We cannot therefore turn a blind eye to the plight of minorities in other parts of the world. In many cases, those suffering most are Christians.

“It is time to put our heads above the parapet and speak up in the name of Christians suffering for their faith and I am delighted to support the work of Aid to the Church in Need which is doing excellent work to help persecuted Christians.”

This announcement coincides with the release of ACN’s latest edition of Persecuted and Forgotten, which was launched in Scotland on Tuesday. The report on Christians oppressed for their Faith, declaring that persecution against Christians has worsened in two-thirds of the countries where religious freedom is denied and that 75 per cent of religious persecution is directed against Christians.

Aid to the Church in Need currently supports 5,000 projects every year in 140 countries, including church building, training seminarians, helping Christian refugees, and providing Bibles and educational materials for children.