Growing persecution prompts calls for European Union envoy on religious freedom

Growing incidents of violence and heightened security concerns have sharpened calls for the European Union to protect Christian communities following the release this month of the 2026 Open Doors World Watch List.

According to the list, 1 in 7 Christians worldwide — approximately 388 million — faced high levels of persecution in 2024-2025, including beheadings, mass killings, and abductions.

The findings reflect a broader surge in attacks across Europe. An International Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians report published in November 2025 documented 2,211 anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe in 2024, including arson, assaults on clergy, and vandalism.

The report followed the highly publicized murder of 45-year-old Iraqi Assyrian-Chaldean Christian Ashur Sarnaya in Lyon, France, in September 2025, captured during a livestream on TikTok. Amid heightened risks, reinforced barriers and expanded patrols were put in place at Christmas markets and public religious displays across Europe.

Calls to fill institutional gaps

Against this backdrop, members of the European Parliament, civil society, and Church organizations are urging the EU to fill the long-vacant Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief post and appoint a European coordinator on anti-Christian hatred.

Speaking to EWTN News, Member of the European Parliament Bert-Jan Ruissen, co-chair of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, stressed the need for stronger EU safeguards.

“One Special Envoy is not enough. A dedicated unit is needed to support the post and equip EU representatives globally on FORB,” Ruissen said.

Civil society organizations, including the European Platform Against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), have called for the role to be repositioned within the European External Action Service for greater coherence and authority. Jonathan de Leyser, senior EU advocate for Christian Solidarity Worldwide and a member of EPRID, told EWTN News the special envoy sits within the commission but carries a human rights mandate managed by the EEAS.

“A move to the EEAS would address some of these inter-institutional complexities,” de Leyser said.

Reflecting on rising anti-Christian incidents across Europe, Ruissen reiterated the Intergroup’s call on member states to systematically document attacks. He also noted that European coordinators already exist for antisemitism and Islamophobia, underscoring the need for a coordinator dedicated to anti-Christian hatred to bring parity in protection and oversight.

Bishops raise security concerns

European bishops have likewise voiced concern over rising Christian persecution. Alessandro Calcagno, assistant general secretary and fundamental rights adviser for the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, told EWTN News that security concerns must be addressed within a broader religious freedom framework.

“Protecting places of worship is crucial not only for security or symbolism but to safeguard the exercise of religious freedom. EU initiatives should address not only terrorism but also vandalism, violence, disruptions, arson, harassment, and other acts of malevolence,” Calcagno said.

Calcagno also called for EU funding instruments to make resources available to explicitly address anti-Christian hatred, noting that comparable funding already exists for programs targeting other forms of religious discrimination.

Global campaigns and parliamentary pressure

As advocacy and parliamentary efforts continue, Ruissen said he remains committed to pressing the EU to address institutional gaps in religious freedom policy.

Reflecting on global campaigns such as #RedWeek 2025, which included lighting the European Parliament in red in solidarity with victims of Christian persecution worldwide, he expressed hope that Parliament will continue to support future campaigns on religious freedom.