WOFS 536: Bishop Barron's New Book on Persecution Against Christians

Christianity remains the world's most persecuted religion, yet this reality is frequently omitted from contemporary discourse due to ideological frameworks that categorize Christians solely as oppressors. Bishop Robert Barron’s book, *What Do Their Deaths Demand? Christian Persecution Today*, addresses this crisis by moving beyond abstract statistics to present visceral narratives of modern martyrs, such as the Libyan construction workers and Father Hamel. These stories aim to transform passive awareness into "real assent," a necessary precursor to action. Theologically, such persecution is an inevitable consequence of the radical, divine claims made by Christ, which the world continues to resist. Responding to this ongoing assault requires a multifaceted approach: prioritizing prayer, defending religious liberty as a foundational human right, and living one's faith with unapologetic boldness rather than retreating into private, intimidated silence.