Who stands with persecuted Christians?

Red Wednesday is an international awareness campaign focused on shining a light on the persecution of Christians and promoting the fundamental right to religious freedom. Churches, landmarks, public buildings, and homes are often lit up in red, and individuals and groups wear red and participate through prayer and other awareness-raising activities. The colour red symbolizes the blood of martyrs and serves as a visible sign of solidarity with those who cannot practise their faith freely.

Red Wednesday is led internationally by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a pontifical charity that supports poor and persecuted Christians around the world. ACN Canada is responsible for promoting Red Wednesday nationwide.

Red Wednesday matters because it raises awareness of religious persecution and affirms that religious freedom is a basic human right, as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Yet this right is increasingly under threat: ACN’s Religious Freedom in the World Report 2025—which documents abuses and restrictions affecting all religious groups—notes that nearly two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries with serious violations of religious freedom. Red Wednesday helps turn this concern into prayer, public witness, awareness, solidarity, and concrete support.

Red Wednesday promotes religious freedom for all, while giving particular attention to persecuted Christians because this focus is central to ACN’s mission. The campaign highlights the suffering of Christians who face violence, discrimination, intimidation, displacement, or restrictions because of their faith.

Anyone can take part! Although Aid to the Church in Need is a Catholic organization, Red Wednesday is a public call to stand for religious freedom as a basic human right. People of any faith, or no faith at all, are welcome to participate in ways that express solidarity, respect, prayer, or concern for human rights.

Our campaign coordinator would be happy to assist you! Please contact Valérie Vulcain at 1-800-585-6333 ext. 227 or vv@acn-canada.org.

Absolutely! In addition to joining an already-existing event, there are many simple and meaningful ways to stand with persecuted Christians and advocate for religious freedom. Even small acts of witness help spread awareness and remind persecuted communities that they are not forgotten. See below how you can take part!

Whether you plan to organize an event or join an already-existing one, we strongly encourage you to register on our website, as this helps us track national participation from year to year.

Groups, such as religious communities, dioceses, schools, community groups, or organizations, can register under Parish/Organization, while individuals can select Individual.

For churches, please coordinate with your priest or pastor beforehand.

Donations made through Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Canada support more than 5,000 projects in over 140 countries on average each year. These projects assist poor and persecuted Christians where they suffer most and include: construction aid, Mass intentions, religious formation, emergency relief aid, pastoral transport, subsistence aid for religious sisters, religious publications and Catholic media, trauma and spiritual care, and other forms of support for communities under pressure.

ACN Canada is committed to transparency and publishes its annual report so supporters can understand the impact of their generosity. To view the latest report, click here.

All campaign materials—posters, prayer suggestions, reports, and more—are available on the official Red Wednesday website. You can also contact Valérie Vulcain, Campaign Coordinator, if you need help organizing an event or have questions not answered here.