Raquel Lázaro, professor of the School of Philosophy and Letters and collaborator of project 'Religion and Civil Society ' of Institute for Culture and Society, will be one of the speakers of the V workshop in Pamplona on religious freedom organized by financial aid the Church in Need under the degree scroll 'A Middle East without Christians'.

From agreement with financial aid to the Church in Need, the number of Christians in the Middle East is steadily declining: issue . In the region as a whole, Christians accounted for 20% at the beginning of the 20th century and today they represent less than 2%. In the entire region, Christians represented 20% at the beginning of the 20th century and today they represent less than 2%.One of the main causes of this unprecedented exodus is the advance of radical jihadism, led by the so-called Islamic State.

The activity aims to deepen this critical status in which Christians are in that geographical region, especially in Syria and Iraq. It will take place on May 9, 2015 at the Mikael Hall, next to St. Michael's Parish, and will begin at 5:00 pm.

The inauguration of the workshop will be held at position by Monsignor Francisco Perez, Archbishop of Pamplona and Bishop of Tudela. In addition to Professor Lázaro, who will report on the scenario of religious freedom in the countries of the Middle East, the other speakers are Manuel Martorell, historian and journalist specializing in the Middle East and partner of Diario de Navarrawho will give the geo-strategic and political keys of the area, with special attention to the persecuted minorities; the priest Douglas Baziwho has survived two attacks on his parish in Baghdad and a kidnapping and will offer his testimony of the status in Iraq; and the Syrian Mireille Al Faraha resident of Barcelona, who will denounce the consequences of the war in her country, after 4 years of conflict.

About financial aid to the Church in Need

financial aid to the Church in Need is a Pontifical Foundation initiated by Fr. Father Werenfried van Straaten Werenfried van Straaten in 1947 to provide pastoral assistance to the suffering church in any part of the world. It has offices in 20 countries and develops projects in 140 on five continents.

Its main work consists of the construction and rehabilitation of temples, providing support and training to priests and nuns, publication and distribution of catechetical material, as well as facilitating means of transportation and communication for evangelization.

Program of the workshop