This survey can give some idea of the tragic situation of our

brothers in the Faith, persecuted for their beliefs. Through them,

the crucified Christ remains present in the Church.
The Communist Persecution
of Christians Today
Facts About:
Albania (pop. 2,800,000). Since January, 1968, Albania has prided itself as the
first atheistic state in the world. All Christians without exception are persecuted.
Yet even the official press reports that there are signs of religious resistance.
Bulgaria (pop. 8,900,000). Orthodox majority; the Patriarchate of Sofia gets its
bearings from the government and the Moscow Patriarchate.
China (pop. 1,000,000,000). The Christians form a tiny minority (12 million);
they are persecuted if they do not join the state-sponsored "Union of China's
Patriotic Catholics" which is separated from Rome.
Czechoslovakia (pop. 15,400,000). 75% of the population is Catholic; 15%
Protestant. For the time being covert but intense persecution.
East Germany (GDR) (pop. 16,700,000). Protestant majority; 8% Catholic.
Intense atheistic propaganda, especially in the schools.
Ethiopia (pop. 39,600,000). The Marxist regime has Christians arrested and
tortured. Few leave prison alive.
Hungary (pop. 10,700,000). 66% Catholic; 27% Protestant. Covert oppression
here, too.
Kampuchea (pop. 6,900,000). Bloody extermination of Cambodian Catholics
by the Communist party. There are no bishops, priests, nor religious. The
churches have been completely demolished.
Laos (pop. 4,200,000). Re-education camps for the Catholic minority who
remained in Laos.
Nicaragua (pop. 3,060,000). Under the cover of martial law, the pro-Moscow
regime relentlessly persecuted bishops, priests, and the Faithful. A bishop and
numerous priests have been banished from the country. The regime even
humiliated the Pope during his pastoral visit.
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North Korea (pop. 19,200,000). Complete uncertainty as to the fate of several

hundred thousand Christians who were unable to flee to the South.
Poland (pop. 36,600,000). 94% Catholic. The Church plays a significant role in
opposition to the atheistic authorities.
Rumania (pop. 22,700,000). 80% Orthodox; three million Catholics. For the
Orthodox Christians religious freedom permitted on condition of government
loyalty. The Catholics united with Rome suffer brutal persecution.

Pictured right: 1989 Communist police are removing some of the Ukrainian
Catholics on a hunger strike in Moscow who are demonstrating for the legal
recognition of the Ukrainian Catholic Church which has been, since 1946, (and
continues still to be to this day) brutally repressed by the Russian Communist
tyrants.
USSR (pop. 276,300,000). Oppression and persecution of Christians in Russia
as well as Lithuania, the Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, etc. More than two million
people languish in Russian gulags.
Vietnam (pop. 57,200,000). Covert persecution of Christians, intensive
indoctrination, re-education camps; religious conduct of Vietnamese Christians
is exemplary. Hundreds of priests in prison.
Yugoslavia (pop. 22,900,000). 32% Catholic, 42% Orthodox; religious life,
despite all official obstacles, is remarkably active.
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