Trinitarian work: eight centuries of hope for persecuted Christians

The Trinitarian order was born in the Middle Ages to free the captive Christians kidnapped during the crusades. Today, in a context of “modern crusades”, where Islamic fundamentalism continues to chase Christians for their faith, trinitarians remain a lighthouse of hope for those who remain firm in their commitment to Christ.

Eight centuries later It is the documentary that gives voice to this suffering and puts face to forgotten Christians in places like Syria, Nigeria or the north of India, but that do not lose hope thanks to the “silent” help that offers them Trinitarian international solidarity (be ), An NGO founded by the Trinitarian family 25 years ago.

The report, Fascinina Producciones, was projected at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid on the afternoon of February 25, by the hand of Vicar General of the Order, Fr. Antonio Aurelio, and the director, Alfredo Torrescalles. The meeting was moderated by the Spanish television presenter Ana Rosa Quintana and the Nuncio was also present in Spain, Mons. Bernardito Auza.

The reality of persecuted Christians: a look at Syria, Nigeria and India

The cameras enter the apocalyptic atmosphere that looms over the Syrian city of Aleppo, where a small group of Christians abandoned to their fate, mostly elders, fight every day to survive since the war broke out in 2011.

The support of the trinitarians reaches each of the corners of these humble homes, located in spray and destroyed neighborhoods by the bombs, thanks to the help of other “angels” that are in the field, such as the priest Hugo Alaniz, of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.

A woman who has been prostrated in a bed or a man who must carry out her son with Down syndrome and who, grabbing her little rosary thanks God for her life, are some of the protagonists of this first country where the report poses his gaze.

From Nigeria, the desolates testimonies of the women who could escape the claws of the terrorists of the jihadist group Boko Haram show how terror has been perpetuated in their communities and hearts. These Christians, of great faith, find shelter and help in despair thanks to the Catholic Church and the work of the SIT.

From Africa, the documentary travels to northern India, in Kerala, where many young people are forced to leave their homes as a result of the clashes between the Hindu people Meitei and the Christian tribal people Kuki.

Trinitarians denounce that ethnic conflict has become a religious confrontation and that the Christian community does not have any government support, determined to limit religious freedom and prohibit evangelization.

What is not counted, does not exist

Fr. Antonio Aurelio stressed that the documentary is not about the trinitarians, but about showing the reality faced by the people they help. “We are not altruistic, we are Christians,” he said before remarking that the trinitarians are discreet and “work in silence.”

For Fr. Aurelio, “the help that can be given to persecuted Christians is very complex, because the problem of these people is not welfare, but existential. We want to inform your situation and suffering, because what is not counted, does not exist, ”he said.

“The message of this documentary is not for them, it is for us. They are Christians like us, why are they abandoned? Why don’t we pay attention to them? Why don’t we help them? Why don’t we talk publicly about this persecution? Why don’t we feel close to them? Our specific objective as trinitarians is that these people do not feel alone, ”added the vicar general of the Trinitarian order.

For his part, director Alfredo Torrescalles pointed out how much this documentary impressed, especially in places like Syria. “The work done by trinitarians seems essential, tremendously brilliant and very necessary, but I fear that people end up numbing before these dramas. We have to strive to find a way to reach the population and touch their hearts, ”he concluded.