Where: Tirana, Albania

When: beginning of November, 2015

In a world where discrimination, persecution and violence directed against minority religious groups is being viewed with increasing concern, the GCF is convening a global consultation focused on Christians suffering and responding in these situations. The theme of the consultation is, 'Discrimination, Persecution, and Martyrdom: Following Christ Together'.

At the conclusion of the 2nd global gathering of the GCF in Manado, Indonesia in October 2011 delegates said they would like to see the GCF address concerns common to churches worldwide. The issue of discrimination, persecution and martyrdom has since been discerned as one such.

A primary goal of the consultation is to give leaders from churches experiencing discrimination and persecution the opportunity to meet one another, join their voices together, and have their stories heard.

Another important goal is to provide opportunity for leaders of global, regional, and national churches and Christian organizations to hear, reflect and understand the complex mix of issues involved in this Christian suffering, so that they will be then be enabled to make appropriate responses together.

Research prior to the consultation will try to capture a clear picture of the global scene as well as work on a document that will help accurately describe and understand the language of discrimination, persecution, and martyrdom.

To prepare the consultation, the GCF has convened a planning group that includes representatives appointed by the Catholic Church (Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity), the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance and the Pentecostal World Fellowship.

The consultation will take place in Tirana, Albania at the beginning of November, 2015. The venue was chosen as religious groups in the Albanian nation have experienced both oppression and 'resurrection' after oppression. People of all faiths, including Christians and Muslims, were exposed to systematic and sustained pressure and persecution during the Communist era, which concluded in March 1992.

Larry Miller, Secretary of the Global Christian Forum, said "The GCF exists to enable churches of all traditions to face common challenges together. It is highly fitting that the first of these initiatives is to support Christians around the world as they face discrimination, persecution and martyrdom in their communities."

Rev Dr. Hielke Wolters, Associate General Secretary of the World Council of Churches said, "It is a strong sign of hope that churches and ecumenical organizations with such a diverse background are ready to work together to support Christians that go through difficult times. Religious freedom is important for all of us, whether Christian, Muslim or adherent of any other religion.

The leaders of the suffering churches will also be invited to say what message they would wish send to the global body of Christ.

Of the overall initiative, Wolters said, "This joint initiative is very much in line with the WCC's efforts to accompany Christians and churches in countries like Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Nigeria. We are grateful that we can strengthen this important work in cooperation with churches and organizations from the Catholic, Pentecostal and Evangelical traditions."

The Planning Group's representative from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Fr Andrzej Choromanski, said "We are walking today on a new ecumenical path that Pope Francis has called the 'ecumenism of blood'. The new initiative of the GCF will explore how we should answer together the current challenge of discrimination and persecution in a Christian way."

Pastor Ingolf Ellssel, representing the Pentecostal World Fellowship executive committee, said he was "excited about this initiative of the Global Christian Forum bringing world Christianity together and lifting up the voices of those suffering discrimination, persecution and martyrdom. I hope it is the beginning of a new process of unity in the Body of Christ."