I NOTE concern has been raised in your newspaper about the creation of the Cross Party Group on Religious Freedom ("Fears over MSP move on religious freedom", The Herald, October 1).
We at Aid to the Church in Need recognise religious freedom as fundamental to the dignity of every individual. Every day, we as a charity receive reports of the suffering and indeed the murder of people whose one crime is their audacity to believe in God.
But such a stance does not make Aid to the Church in Need opposed to those who do not believe in God. Contrary to the impression given the article, the charity supports Christians and others who suffer at the hands of atheistic regimes – including communist ones – hostile to faith communities.
Nor is it true that as a Catholic charity we espouse a blinkered attitude ignorant of the suffering of other faith communities. True to the founding principles of the charity, Aid to the Church in Need reaches out to persecuted Christians but at a time of crisis in Syria, Iraq and beyond, ACN’s project partners are reaching out to other faith groups, offering food, shelter and medicine irrespective of creed, class or ethnicity.
For example in Iraq, ACN is helping Yazidis seeking sanctuary in Erbil and in Lebanon the charity is supporting Muslims and other faith groups aided by the Good Shepherd Sisters. Thus is ACN able to support the Church in its role as a bridge-builder in society.
As a charity. we follow the path of reconciliation. We are committed to proclaiming our faith in God but at all times respecting the rights and conscience of others.
Lorraine McMahon,
Head of Operations (Scotland),
Aid to the Church in Need (UK), Office 2.9, Dalziel Building, 7 Scott Street, Motherwell.
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