The Catholic and Evangelical churches criticize fact that more and more Christians are being threatened because of ir beliefs. Due to effects of terror regime of so-called "Islamic State" (is) in some countries threatens an end to Christian presence, it is stated in second joint report on restriction of religious freedom, representative of Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and German Bishops ' conference in Berlin.

Many Christians lived in oppression and were exposed to hostility and discrimination, said Ludwig Schick, chairman of Commission, World Church of Catholic German Bishops ' conference. The foreign bishops of EKD, Petra Bosse-Huber, pointed out that in some parts of world any change of faith is forbidden. The report focuses on right to change of faith. Bosse-Huber admitted that in some Islamic countries, crossing to anor religion – for example from Islam to Christianity – could be lethal.

Terror against Christianity

In Middle East, situation of Christians is "still particularly pressing", report states. Even in parts of Africa, such as norrn Nigeria, Christians are exposed to terrorist violence.

An example of this is number of Christians in Iraq: While 2013 still lived around 500,000 Christians, it is currently only between 250,000 and 300,000, according to estimates by various Christian bishops. Many Christians fled from discrimination and persecution abroad.

Schick, who also holds office of Archbishop of Bamberg, explained, in addition to report, that commitment of two churches was not restricted to members of Christian faith alone. "Our commitment to Christians is exemplary, but not exclusive," he said. Bosse-Huber also stressed that all people should be able to show and profess ir faith in public.

The Chairman of Union group in German Bundestag, Volker Kauder (CDU), expressed concern about results of report: y showed how dramatic situation is for Christians. The CDU politician stressed that all religions were affected by restrictions, such as Muslim minorities such as Rohingya in Myanmar.

Date Of Update: 16 December 2017, 12:03