Catholic Dioceses Join Red November Persecution Campaign
Thirty-two dioceses across Australia and New Zealand have confirmed participation in Aid to the Church in Need's Red November initiative this year.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Catholicism
Every Catholic archdiocese in Australia and New Zealand joined Aid to the Church in Need's Red November campaign, which spotlights Christian persecution worldwide. Diocesan participation has more than tripled since 2023.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to shine a light on Christian persecution and inspire practical action to support those suffering for their faith. ACN's recent Persecuted and Forgotten? 2024-2026 report found about 220 million Christians were directly exposed to persecution in 2023.
Thirty-two dioceses across Australia and New Zealand confirmed participation this year, more than tripling since 2023. About 220 million Christians were directly exposed to persecution in 2023, and oppression worsened in 55 per cent of the countries surveyed.
The players
Aid to the Church in Need
A pontifical foundation that supports persecuted Christians worldwide and runs the Red November campaign.
Cardinal Mykola Bychok
A cardinal of the Ukrainian Catholic Church who serves as ACN's Red November Ambassador, with his church having suffered more than 40 years of persecution under Soviet rule.
Lukas Rajnoch
The acting national director of ACN Australia and New Zealand overseeing the campaign in the region.
The details
Red November is a global initiative of ACN, a pontifical foundation supporting persecuted Christians worldwide, and centres on Red Wednesday, November 18, when churches and iconic buildings are illuminated in red. Dioceses and parishes can participate on any suitable day throughout November, expressing support through prayer, solidarity and practical action.
Timeline
2023: Diocesan participation began rising sharply, and about 220 million Christians were directly exposed to persecution that year.
November 2026: The Red November campaign runs with dioceses participating throughout the month.
November 18, 2026: Red Wednesday, when churches and iconic buildings are illuminated in red.
Global Context
The Red November campaign is anchored to ACN's Persecuted and Forgotten? 2024-2026 report, which found that about 220 million Christians were directly exposed to persecution in 2023 and that oppression worsened in 55 per cent of surveyed countries. The Ukrainian Catholic Church's more than 40 years of Soviet-era persecution offers a historical parallel for the present-day concerns the campaign highlights.
Parishes can join Red November on any suitable day throughout the month through prayer, solidarity or practical support for persecuted Christians. Churches and buildings participating in Red Wednesday on November 18 provide a visible way to show support.
The takeaway
Participation in Red November has grown rapidly, showing that local parishes are increasingly willing to act on the persecution of Christians abroad. Individuals can take part through prayer and by supporting the campaign's visible Red Wednesday event.
What happens next
Red Wednesday falls on November 18, 2026, when churches and iconic buildings will be illuminated in red as part of the campaign.
Further reading
Explore more on Catholicism to see how the Church's global community approaches persecution and charity.
