USA (MNN) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently called for greater action against global religious persecution, giving a speech on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Todd Nettleton with VOM USA says his comments serve as a reminder for Christians. 

“They were speaking out on a day that is supposed to help all of us think about freedom of religion – think about the fact that people should be able to practice their religion without the threat of violence,” he says. 

Despite the bulk of religious persecution occurring outside of Europe, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) cites “843 anti-Christian acts in France during 2025, alongside 1,646 anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim acts,” among other similar increases. 

“They are obviously seeing things happening on the European continent that are opposed to Gospel witness, opposed to the growth of Christianity – the growth of the church,” Nettleton says. 

On a personal level, he points to the example of Päivi Räsänen, Finland’s parliament member who has been found guilty of hate speech in that country for opposing homosexuality. 

“We think of Western Europe in particular as democracies. We think of them as places where religious freedom is protected, but obviously some of these stories are starting to raise attention to the fact that no, that’s not always true,” Nettleton points out. 

Evidence of such persecution prompts the question: what is driving Europe’s increase in religious intolerance? Nettleton says the factors are varied and complex, but the continent’s current mix of cultural, religious, and political climates can quickly swell to a storm. 

“It does call us to pay attention. It calls us to let those in authority over us know that religious freedom is something we care about. It’s something we want,” Nettleton continues. 

But as Christians, perhaps the more pressing issue is not how we got here but where we should head. Nettleton says the clear direction is upward. 

“It’s the same as always when we have these stories. The first thing we can do is pray.”

Above photo courtesy of Aaron Burden via Unsplash; featured photo courtesy of M1DDL3 M7N via Pexels.

Pray for those in governmental positions and for the Christians who have influence there. Pray for persecuted brothers and sisters: that God would protect them and their faith would stay strong. 

“Most importantly we want God to be with them and sustain them and encourage them as they go through their season of suffering,” Nettleton says. 

Regardless of statements issued by human powers, take heart in the truth of Psalm 103:6, “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”